3 months ago
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A project aimed at empowering communities in the Greater Accra Region to combat air pollution and climate emissions was launched in Accra yesterday.
Known as “Breathe Cities” the initiative is being spearheaded by the Clean Air Fund, a global philanthropic foundation tackling air pollution.
Speaking at the event, the Portfolio Manager of the Clean Air Fund, Dr Elvis Kyere-Gyeabour, expressed worry over the estimated 18,000 deaths in Accra annually which has been attributed to air pollution-related illnesses.
He said 40 per cent of the air pollution in Ghana was due to vehicle emissions, adding that commercial hubs and densely populated areas contributed significantly to this growing menace.
He stated that the project also sought to support the government’s efforts at combating air pollution by implementing targeted policies and interventions to mitigate the menace.
The Country Lead for Clean Air Fund in Ghana, Mr Desmond Appiah, in his address underscored the importance of air quality monitoring in the country, lamenting the existing data gaps that hampered effective decision-making.
He explained that the scarcity of air pollution monitoring systems in Ghana was a major challenge, emphasising the need for robust research to inform policy decisions.
He emphasised the transformative power of empowering cities to addressing air pollution, saying the Breathe Cities initiative would provide Accra with the crucial support to strengthen its air quality data collection efforts.
This enhanced data, he said would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the city’s air pollution levels, enabling development of targeted solutions.
“The Clean Air Fund has already supported over 300 projects globally, including 10 in Ghana,” Mr Appiah said.
He also revealed plans to increase focus on child health issues in the coming year, noting that while air pollution was often invisible, its consequences were severe.
The urgency of collective action was also emphasised by Mr Appiah, who called on all stakeholders to contribute to the fight against the menace.
He expressed disappointment in the lack of interest from some policymakers, despite extensive research demonstrating the harmful effects of air pollution.
To address this, the Clean Air Fund he said aims to localise research findings to resonate more strongly with decision-makers.
He explained that in addition to the health implications, the economic toll of air pollution in Ghana was significant, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that Ghana loses approximately $2.5 billion annually due to the impacts of air pollution.
One major challenge highlighted by Mr Appiah is the mismanagement of household waste, which he said exacerbates the pollution problem.
He therefore, stressed that addressing such challenges was crucial in all discussions aimed at saving lives, reducing the burden on healthcare systems, and minimising economic losses.
He acknowledged the EPA’s pivotal role in addressing the air quality crisis and stressed the importance of continued partnerships to achieve lasting solutions.
Meanwhile, the Director of Health at the Ayawaso West Municipal Health Directorate, Dr Louisa Matey, highlighted the critical role of community engagement in combating air pollution.
She said raising awareness about the dangers of practices as open burning of household waste was essential.
According to her, prevention of air pollution-related illnesses required practical measures at the community level, ensuring that residents understood the sources and consequences of pollution and are motivated to adopt safer practices.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
