Accra – Air pollution, a critical environmental and public health issue in Ghana, claims the lives of approximately 28,000 Ghanaians each year and causes illness in many more, as highlighted by the tragic death of Dr. Ato Atobrah, a retired lecturer. Dr. Atobrah died from smoke inhalation due to a neighbor’s burning waste pile, a common practice in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, his underlying asthma exacerbated the situation, leading to his untimely death. Dr. Clarence Basogloyele, a surgeon at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, explains that fire consumes oxygen, vital for human survival, and releases harmful smoke.
The World Health Organization’s 2020 study revealed that air pollution is a leading health risk in Ghana, particularly affecting young children and adults over 50. Despite the severity of the issue, Ghana lacks a nationwide air quality policy, though sector-specific policies and initiatives exist, particularly in Accra, as per the Clean Air Fund, a U.K.-based charity.
Mr. Emmanuel Appoh, Managing Consultant for EnviroFin Consult, emphasizes the critical nature of urban air quality. He identifies common pollution activities in urban centers like Accra and Kumasi, including burning garbage at home and landfill sites, and using vehicle tires for singeing animals. Appoh, a former prosecutor for the Environmental Protection Agency, criticizes the rampant and illegal open burning practices, citing poor enforcement as a major issue. He advocates for stricter punishment of offenders to mitigate the health and economic impacts of air pollution.
Particulate matter 2.5, tiny particles in air pollution, are particularly dangerous as they can invade the lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and other major health issues. The United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention recognizes air pollution as a global problem, causing over seven million premature deaths annually. In Ghana, the economic cost of air pollution is estimated at $US2.5 billion, or 4.2% of the economy each year, according to a World Bank study.
Addressing Ghana’s waste management system is crucial for improving air quality. Ghana employs a ‘polluter pays’ system, requiring individuals to pay for waste disposal. However, only 10% of the daily 12,710 tonnes of solid waste generated is properly collected and disposed of, leading many to resort to burning their waste. Mr. Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, the deputy minister for Water and Sanitation, acknowledges the challenges in waste disposal and the government’s plans to build waste treatment plants in all regions.
Lack of awareness and resources further complicates the situation. Many residents, unaware of the dangers of open burning, continue the practice due to irregular waste collection services and high disposal costs. The Environmental and Health Officers (EHO) at local assemblies are responsible for educating the public and enforcing regulations, but they face significant challenges, including insufficient personnel and logistics, as explained by Mrs. Florence Kuukye, Director of the Metro Public Health Department of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.
The decentralization of control from the national government to local assemblies has hampered the effectiveness of the Environmental Health Department, with a disconnect between the head of the EHOs and the workers. The Graduate Environmental Health and Sanitation Professional Association of Ghana has petitioned the Ministry of Local Government Decentralisation and Rural Development, seeking better coordination and resources for EHOs.
Experts agree that making EHOs effective, raising awareness, and enforcing stricter regulations on open burning are essential steps towards cleaner air in Ghana. These measures could prevent tragedies like Dr. Atobrah’s and reduce the financial burden on the national economy.