Air pollution has emerged as the leading cause of death in Ghana, surpassing malaria, HIV/AIDS, and road accidents, according to a new study.
The report estimates that more than 30,000 deaths annually are now linked to air pollution-related illnesses such as asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
The research identified multiple sources of pollution, including vehicle emissions, open waste burning, firewood use, pesticides from farming, and dust from road construction. Findings revealed that air quality levels in many areas far exceeded both Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) standards and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, painting a grim picture of the situation in the capital and beyond.
The study was led by PSS Urbania Consult with support from the Clean Air Fund, a global philanthropic organisation focused on tackling air pollution. Conducted over one year from August 2024 to September 2025, the project involved monitoring more than 60 sites across the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.
Pollution hotspots identified included Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma West, Adentan, Ablekuma South, Ashiedu Keteke, Okaikoi South, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso East, Ayawaso North, Ayawaso West, Korle Klottey, La Dade Kotopon, La Nkwantanang Madina, and Okaikwe North municipalities. At each site, data on PM2.5, PM10, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide was collected over a week. PM2.5 and PM10 are fine particles that can penetrate the lungs and cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
The findings were presented yesterday at a high-level validation workshop for Air Quality Action Plans (AQAPs) prepared for 13 metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region. Lead consultant Dr Joseph Ayitio and air quality specialist Frederick Otu-Larbi of PSS Urbania outlined the critical state of Ghana’s air quality and its implications for public health.
The workshop drew participants from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the National Development Planning Commission, and the Ghana Institute of Planners. It featured presentations, discussions, and working group sessions aimed at sensitisation and strategic planning.
Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Local Government, Usama Iddrisu Samu, underscored the scale of the crisis. He pointed out that air pollution causes more than 28,000 deaths annually in Ghana, exceeding fatalities from malaria and HIV combined. He praised the Clean Air Fund and its partners for their support and urged swift implementation of the action plans.
“Our local government authorities are preparing their middle and long-term plans. This must remind us that cleaner air is not just an environmental aspiration, but a development priority that must be at the heart of our national agenda,” he said. “This initiative is not only timely, but essential, as it represents a decisive step towards safeguarding the environment and protecting the health of our citizens.”
Speaking on behalf of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Director of Planning at the Regional Coordinating Council, Jemima Lomotey, pledged the region’s commitment to turn the action plans into tangible improvements. She stressed that tackling pollution was urgent given the region’s position as the country’s most urbanised and industrialised area.
Dr Elvis Kyere Gyeabuor of the Clean Air Fund also encouraged stronger local ownership of the process. While noting the limited life cycle of the grant, he stressed that the validation workshop should be a launchpad for long-term action rather than the conclusion of external support.
Dr Lily Owusu, Principal Planning Analyst at the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), urged MMDAs to integrate air quality measures into their medium-term development plans. She emphasised the heavy health toll on vulnerable populations and commended government’s target to meet WHO standards by 2040.
Ayawaso West Municipal Chief Executive, Dr Michael Mensah, reinforced the call for urgent action, warning of worsening pollution in the face of rapid urbanisation and rising emissions. He linked the agenda to the Sustainable Development Goals, stressing the need for collective innovation to build healthier and more resilient cities.
The study and its findings have placed air pollution firmly on the national development agenda, demanding decisive action from local governments, policymakers, and citizens alike.
