The 2024 World Air Quality Report identifies Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda among the most polluted nations globally, with Chad leading in PM2.5 levels. This crisis poses serious health risks, leading to significant mortality rates. Ghana’s pollution has significantly increased over the years, prompting urgent calls for enhanced environmental policies to combat this public health emergency.
The 2024 World Air Quality Report has identified alarming pollution levels in several African nations, with Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda ranking among the most polluted globally. This crisis poses a severe threat to public health, endangering millions of lives across the continent.
Chad leads with a PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 µg/m³, drastically exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³. Nigeria and Rwanda follow closely, with levels of 40.1 µg/m³ and 40.8 µg/m³, respectively. Ghana ranks 14th with a PM2.5 level of 35.8 µg/m³, indicating the critical state of air quality.
PM2.5 particles are significantly harmful as they penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, contributing to severe health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. They are minuscule pollutants, making them difficult to detect while being exceptionally dangerous. Consequently, air pollution has been shown to shorten lifespans by an average of 2.7 years in the most affected regions.
Ghana’s air pollution issue is particularly concerning, with a current PM2.5 level that is seven times above WHO recommendations. Accra is notably the 16th most polluted capital globally, but Kumasi has now been recorded as the most polluted city in Ghana at 39.5 µg/m³. Ghana’s position on the pollution index has deteriorated rapidly, moving from the 27th rank in 2022 to the 14th in 2024.
The air quality crisis in Africa is exacerbated by a lack of adequate monitoring infrastructure. The report indicates that five of the ten most polluted countries are in Africa, with only 24 out of the 54 countries providing air quality data. Furthermore, significant portions of African cities exhibit pollution levels vastly exceeding WHO’s recommended limits.
With air pollution emerging as a public health emergency in Ghana, estimates suggest that around 28,000 Ghanaians die each year from pollution-related causes. Without intervention, this number may continue to rise significantly, straining the nation’s healthcare system and economy. Experts have warned that by 2040, the economic cost of air pollution in urban areas could reach $137.8 billion if no action is taken.
The global perspective shows that only 17% of cities meet WHO air pollution guidelines, while some countries, mainly in the developed world, maintain acceptable air quality. The report highlights the need for urgent action to control pollution sources, including stricter vehicle emissions standards, investments in renewable energy, and expansion of air monitoring stations.
In conclusion, the data underscores a dire need for immediate and stringent environmental policies in Ghana and other affected African countries. Without prompt measures, the escalating air quality crisis poses a greater threat to public health and long-term economic sustainability, necessitating collaborative efforts towards actionable solutions.
In summary, the 2024 World Air Quality Report reveals an alarming escalation in pollution levels across several African countries, particularly Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda. The detrimental health impacts, including increased mortality rates and declining life expectancy, heighten the urgency for effective environmental policies and monitoring systems. A proactive approach is essential to address this escalating public health crisis and safeguard the future of affected populations.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
