Ghana's Silent Killer: Young Advocates Take on Air Pollution

Key Takeaways

• Approximately 32,000 Ghanaians die each year from causes linked to air pollution.
• Air pollution is estimated to cost Ghana billions of dollars annually in productivity and healthcare costs.
• Six young Ghanaians have been selected as Air Quality Ambassadors to advocate for clean air.

Ghana's air pollution crisis is a multifaceted problem that affects millions of people daily. The State of Global Air report estimates that approximately 32,000 Ghanaians die each year from causes linked to air pollution, making it one of the leading environmental health threats in the country.

The issue remains largely invisible in public conversation, as polluted air does not announce itself. It accumulates quietly, in lungs, in blood, in years shaved off lives. However, six young Ghanaians have decided to speak out against this silent killer, building a movement to raise awareness and promote clean air.

Meet the Air Quality Ambassadors

Shaddai Empress Molson Gattor, a project lead with Breathe Easy Live on West Africa, lost a friend named Franklina to asthma triggered by burning rubbish. This personal loss motivated her to become an advocate for clean air, training people to become 'air guardians' and developing a children's storybook on clean air.

Godwin Ebo Fosu, a research assistant with a background in agricultural and environmental engineering, uses his Catch Them Young initiative to educate children about air pollution. He takes air tracker cards into primary schools, asking children to observe sources of air pollution in their communities.

Building a Movement

Mercy Mawunyo Apaw, an MPhil student in meteorology and climate science, is working on the Ghana Air Quality Data Hub, a centralised platform to bring together air quality data from various institutions and projects. This hub aims to make it easier for everyone to access and use air quality data.

Terry Kwame Azaglo, a climate scientist, has spent time in Jamestown talking to fishmongers who are exposed to smoke. He believes that cleaner fish-smoking technology is available, but it is beyond the reach of most people.

Why This Matters

Air pollution is a critical issue in Ghana, with significant health and economic costs. The six young Ghanaians selected as Air Quality Ambassadors are building a movement to raise awareness and promote clean air. Their efforts will help to educate the public, policymakers, and business leaders about the importance of clean air.

Their work will also contribute to developing policies and initiatives to reduce air pollution, ultimately saving lives and improving the quality of life for millions of Ghanaians.

Looking Ahead

The problem of air pollution remains significant, and the distance between what is being done and what is needed is substantial. However, the six young Ghanaians selected as Air Quality Ambassadors are committed to their cause, and their efforts will continue to raise awareness and promote clean air in Ghana.

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