More than 28,000 Ghanaians lose their lives each year due to air pollution — AMA
A senior public health official at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has sounded the alarm over rising air pollution and poor sanitation in the capital, revealing that more than 28,000 Ghanaians die each year from air pollution-related illnesses.
Speaking during a health and sanitation outreach programme in Accra, the Director of Public Health at AMA, Florence Kuukyi, highlighted the urgent need for coordinated efforts to improve urban hygiene and reduce air pollution, which she described as a growing public health crisis.
According to Kuukyi, the current rate of air pollution-related deaths in Ghana translates to one death every 19 minutes, underscoring the severity of the problem.
Air pollution is now one of the leading environmental risk factors for premature death in Ghana, according to data from both local and international health agencies. The issue is particularly acute in urban centres like Accra, where unregulated waste disposal, open burning of rubbish, vehicular emissions, and poor sanitation infrastructure have combined to create dangerously high pollution levels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to over 7 million deaths globally each year, and Sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly affected. For Ghana, the burden is not only medical but also economic with the Ministry of Health estimating that air pollution-related diseases cost the country over GH¢1.6 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity.
Ms. Kuukyi explained that deteriorating sanitation conditions are a major contributor to both waterborne and airborne diseases. She cited the unchecked accumulation of waste, illegal dumping, and poor waste segregation as practices exacerbating health risks in densely populated communities.
“This isn’t just about diarrhoea and typhoid anymore. The filth on our streets and in our gutters is also contaminating the air we breathe,” she noted.
She stressed that the pollution crisis is largely preventable and called for behavioural change among residents.
“Everyone generates waste, and everyone must take responsibility for disposing of it properly. The government cannot do it alone,” she said.
Ghana currently operates a “polluter pays” system, which holds individuals accountable for the waste they produce. However, the AMA says implementation has been inconsistent, with many residents unwilling to pay for private waste collection services.
Ms. Kuukyi explained that this reluctance undermines the city’s ability to manage waste efficiently and increases the strain on public sanitation infrastructure.
“In many cases, people dump refuse in open spaces or burn it in their backyards, not realising the long-term health consequences,” she added.
In urban areas such as Agbogbloshie, Madina, and Ashaiman, poor waste disposal practices are not only polluting waterways but also contributing to the release of harmful particulate matter into the air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly flagged these locations as air quality “hotspots.”
A 2024 study by the University of Ghana’s School of Public Health found that children living near unregulated waste sites in Accra were three times more likely to develop respiratory infections compared to those in cleaner neighbourhoods.
Similarly, health centres in the capital have reported a surge in asthma and chronic bronchitis cases, particularly among children, the elderly, and informal workers exposed to vehicle exhaust and burning waste.
The AMA says addressing the sanitation and air pollution crisis will require greater collaboration between municipal authorities, private waste contractors, civil society, and ordinary citizens.
The Public Health Directorate is planning a city-wide awareness campaign and has proposed stricter enforcement of sanitation by-laws, as well as enhanced investment in recycling and waste management infrastructure.
“We must move from talk to action. This is not just a municipal problem; it is a national issue that affects everyone,” Ms. Kuukyi concluded.
With over 28,000 preventable deaths attributed to air pollution each year, Ghana faces a pressing environmental health emergency. While legislation and policy frameworks exist, their impact will depend on sustained public engagement, political will, and investment in long-term sanitation solutions. For cities like Accra, tackling pollution is no longer optional it is essential for protecting public health and ensuring urban resilience.
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