Air pollution in Ghana has reached alarming levels, with the country’s average air pollution levels sitting nearly six times above the World Health Organisation’s safety limit. In Accra, the situation is even more dire, with air pollution levels 11 times the recommended limit. This has severe consequences for public health, with chronic diseases such as stroke, hypertension, and diabetes on the rise. According to a 2024 World Health Organisation and Ghana STEPS survey, chronic diseases account for 45% of all deaths in Ghana.
The science is clear: exposure to polluted air can damage the heart, raise the risk of stroke and diabetes, and contribute to other chronic diseases. Adiza Barikisu, a 52-year-old kenkey maker in Kumasi, is a stark example of the human impact. After 15 years of breathing in fumes, she has been diagnosed with asthma and hypertension. “I never thought the air could make me this sick,” she says.
Despite the growing health crisis, Ghana’s government has been slow to act. While the government has committed GHĀ¢2.3 billion to treating chronic diseases through the Mahama Cares medical fund, experts warn that far less attention and funding are being devoted to preventing air pollution in the first place. Research shows that reducing air pollution would save lives and money, with one analysis estimating that meeting World Health Organisation air-quality standards in Accra alone could prevent nearly 1,800 deaths each year and cut $247 million in healthcare costs.
The lack of air quality monitoring is a major obstacle to addressing the issue. Ghana has only four high-quality air pollution monitors, with only three functioning, and all of them are located in the southern part of the country. Experts say that monitoring air pollution is the first step in addressing the issue, citing the maxim ‘you can’t fight what you can’t see’. Without adequate monitoring, government agencies and communities cannot know the size and scope of the problem, making it difficult to develop effective solutions.
Other countries have successfully connected air pollution to health outcomes. In Rwanda, the government established an integrated environmental and health monitoring system in 2018, which connects air quality data directly to the Ministry of Health’s disease surveillance system. In Mexico City, comprehensive monitoring feeds real-time data directly to health authorities, allowing for swift action to be taken when pollution levels spike. Experts say that Ghana can learn from these examples and prioritize air quality monitoring as a critical component of public health infrastructure. By doing so, the country can take a crucial step towards preventing chronic diseases and improving the health and wellbeing of its citizens.
