A growing coalition of religious groups, civil society organisations, and academics is sounding the alarm over air pollution and electronic waste in Ghana, calling for urgent and practical steps to protect both public health and the environment.

Their concerns are backed by troubling data. The State of Global Air 2025 report estimates that more than 32,000 deaths in Ghana in 2023 were linked to air pollution. Globally, air pollution remains one of the leading causes of death, claiming over 7 million lives each year.

Beyond the numbers, the impact is deeply personal, affecting families and communities through serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory illnesses, and lung cancer.

In Ghana, these effects are becoming increasingly visible, particularly in densely populated and industrial areas.

In response, Clean Air Ghana, in partnership with Presbyterian Relief Services and Development, has taken the conversation directly to affected communities.

Through a sensitisation and awareness campaign in Sokoban and Anloga in the Ashanti Region, the groups are engaging residents on the dangers of pollution and encouraging collective action.

At the heart of the discussion is the need for better monitoring and stronger enforcement of air quality standards.

Dr Lawrencia Osae-Nyarko, a researcher with the Biomedical and Research Unit of the Water Research Institute under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, pointed out that while Ghana has established standards, implementation remains a major challenge.

“Ghana has a standard, which means that some considerations have been made regarding monitoring and assessing whether we are within limits. However, implementation and enforcement is always a challenge,” she said.

She explained that although some monitoring systems exist, they do not adequately cover communities where exposure is often highest. As a way forward, she is advocating for a more inclusive, grassroots approach.

“Ghana should be moving towards citizen science when it comes to air pollution,” she urged, stressing that empowering ordinary citizens to monitor air quality and make informed decisions is essential to bridging the gap left by institutional limitations.

Dr Osae-Nyarko also highlighted the need for innovation, encouraging a shift towards cleaner and more sustainable technologies.

“We should be looking at technologies that use less fuel and get more researchers on board who can develop alternatives considered cleaner compared to the ones currently in use,” she said.

She further drew attention to a gender dimension of the issue, noting that men tend to face higher exposure to air pollution due to their involvement in outdoor and industrial work.

While institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency play a key role, she believes the fight against air pollution cannot rest on them alone.

“We are all expecting the EPA to do much, but they are limited. Their resources are not only allocated to addressing air pollution but also other related issues. So the call goes to everyone: individuals, NGOs, and corporate bodies willing to support monitoring efforts, knowing that air pollution affects everybody,” she said.

For Emmanuel Nyarko Ankamah, Coordinator of Presbyterian Relief Services and Development, the goal goes beyond awareness, it is about changing behaviour and inspiring action at the community level.

He emphasised the need for stronger government involvement, particularly in providing the tools and support communities need to tackle pollution effectively.

“We are working with key stakeholders, and we want the government to also provide some of the essentials that these communities need to address these issues,” he said.

NA/MA