By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
A specialist in environmental and occupational health at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-WRI), Dr. Lawrencia Osae-Nyarko has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating public health crisis caused by air pollution in Ghana, specifically highlighting its devastating impact on maternal and neonatal health.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ meeting on air pollution and e‑waste injustice in urban slums, organised by the Presbyterian Relief Services and Development (PRESED) in collaboration with the Clean Air Fund, UK.
The Research scientist, Dr. Osae-Nyarko, emphasized that chronic inhalation of toxic air is no longer just a respiratory issue but a major driver of non-communicable diseases.
The Maternal and Neonatal Toll
According to Dr. Osae-Nyarko, pregnant women are among the most vulnerable populations. Prolonged exposure to pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide, often from vehicle emissions and wood-burning fires, is directly linked to: hypertension, preeclampsia, low birth weight, and neonatal deaths.
A Growing National Crisis
The warning comes as new data from the 2025 State of Global Air (SoGA) Report reveals that air pollution claimed over 32,000 lives in Ghana in 2023.
It has overtaken malaria and HIV/AIDS as a leading cause of premature death in the country. In cities like Accra, pollution levels are often seven times higher than World Health Organization (WHO) safety guidelines.
“We are seeing a resurgence of asthma and a rise in strokes and heart disease tied directly to the air we breathe daily,” she noted.
The Research scientist warned that non‑communicable diseases were increasingly being linked to environmental risk factors, describing air pollution as a “silent killer.”
“For us to gather sufficient data to make informed decisions, it is appropriate to invest in monitors that provide evidence for policy and action,” she said.
According to Dr. Osae‑Nyarko, the state alone cannot do it all and has thus appealed to individuals and private organisations to support government efforts to acquire the devices.
Although the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is mandated to lead air quality monitoring in the country, Dr. Osae‑Nyarko noted that the authority faced resource constraints due to the wide range of environmental issues it handled.
“Air pollution affects everybody, though some people are more impacted than others,” she mentioned.
She outlined some immediate effects of exposure to polluted air, including cough, phlegm, headaches, and chest tightening, and cautioned that long‑term exposure could be carcinogenic.
Dr. Osae-Nyarko and other environmental advocates are calling for policy enforcement, stronger regulations on vehicle emissions, and industrial waste.
Clean Energy Transition: Scaling up the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and improved cook stoves to reduce household smoke.
Community Awareness: Educating the public on the “invisible danger” of air quality to protect the next generation.
“Protecting women during pregnancy from these exposures is one of the most effective ways to ensure healthier babies and a healthier future for Ghana,” Dr. Osae-Nyarko reiterated.
