The 2024 World Air Quality Report identifies Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda as among the most polluted nations globally, underscoring a serious air quality crisis that threatens millions of lives. Chad leads with a PM2.5 level of 91.8 µg/m³, with Ghana reaching 35.8 µg/m³. Urgent measures are needed to combat the health crisis resulting from air pollution, which causes thousands of premature deaths annually.
The 2024 World Air Quality Report has unveiled alarming air pollution levels across Africa, identifying Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda among the most polluted nations worldwide. This report indicates a severe air quality crisis, threatening the lives of millions across the continent.
Chad is reported as the most polluted country, with a staggering PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 µg/m³, which is nearly 18 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. Nigeria holds the 11th position with 40.1 µg/m³, while Rwanda and Ghana follow, ranked 9th and 14th with 40.8 µg/m³ and 35.8 µg/m³, respectively. The microscopic PM2.5 particles, known for severely impacting health, penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
According to the University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) data, air pollution has significantly reduced lifespans in heavily polluted areas by approximately 2.7 years. In Ghana, the WHO estimated that air pollution was responsible for 28,000 annual deaths in 2019. Furthermore, global statistics indicate a daily toll of around 22,192 deaths attributed to air quality issues, with one child succumbing every minute. Urgent action is required to address this critical challenge.
Ghana’s air pollution now exceeds the WHO’s safe limits by seven times, with Accra ranked as the 16th most polluted capital worldwide (36.3 µg/m³). Surprisingly, Kumasi has emerged as Ghana’s most polluted city with a PM2.5 level of 39.5 µg/m³. The nation’s pollution levels have drastically increased over the years, moving from the 27th position in 2022 (30.2 µg/m³) to the 14th in 2024 (35.8 µg/m³).
Africa faces a severe air quality crisis, with five of the world’s ten most polluted countries situated on the continent. Only 24 out of 54 African nations collect and report air quality data, exposing a significant deficiency in monitoring infrastructures. Alarmingly, 34% of African cities exhibit PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines by three to five times, and 24% by five to seven times.
Addressing air pollution in Ghana must be regarded as a pressing public health crisis. The WHO’s estimates indicate that approximately 28,000 Ghanians die annually from air pollution, which translates to one death every 19 minutes. Should this trend persist, about 2,333 individuals risk dying each month, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Economically, the implications of air pollution in urban regions of Ghana are staggering. A report from the Clean Air Fund warns that, without prompt intervention, the economic costs could reach $137.8 billion by 2040. This situation necessitates immediate and actionable steps to mitigate pollution.
While only 17% of global cities comply with the WHO’s air pollution norms, certain regions still uphold relatively clean air standards. Notably, Nieuwoudtville in South Africa is the sole African city meeting WHO PM2.5 guideline by recording 1.2 µg/m³.
Factors driving this escalating air pollution in Africa include rapid urbanization, population growth, industrial emissions, and uncontrolled waste burning. Additionally, non-governmental organizations now supply about 67% of Africa’s air quality data, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced governmental oversight in monitoring air quality.
Given the deterioration of air quality in Ghana, experts are urging the government to implement more stringent environmental policies. These include stronger vehicle emission regulations, increased investment in renewable energy, augmented air quality monitoring infrastructures, and stringent anti-burning measures to mitigate industrial and household emissions. With Ghana positioned as one of the top 15 polluted countries, imperative action is crucial to prevent air quality from becoming an even greater health crisis in coming years.
In conclusion, the 2024 World Air Quality Report highlights a critical air pollution crisis affecting several African nations, including Ghana, which ranks 14th among the most polluted countries worldwide. The data emphasizes the health risks associated with PM2.5 pollutants and reveals a concerning trend of escalating pollution levels. Immediate action is necessary to address these challenges through government policy enforcement and investment in clean technologies, as failure to act may pose catastrophic health and economic repercussions.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
