Ghana’s capital, Accra, has recently been labeled as the city with the worst air quality in the world, surpassing well-known polluted cities such as Delhi and Beijing. According to data from IQAir, Accra’s Air Quality Index (AQI) jumped to a high of 238 on February 5, 2024, categorizing it under the “Very Unhealthy” range.
This alarming level of air pollution has raised significant concerns about the impact on the general population’s health. The presence of PM2.5, which refers to tiny particles in the air emitted from vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, and burning fossil fuels has far exceeded the World Health Organisation’s guidelines.
The harmattan season has also contributed to the spike in air pollution readings. The situation is particularly severe within specific areas of Accra, with AQI measurements ranging from 185 to an astonishingly hazardous 301.
These distressing findings underscore the urgent need for air quality management and pollution control measures in Accra to mitigate the health risks posed by the city’s current environmental conditions.
