Air pollution remains a significant threat to public health in Ghana, with exhaust fumes from the transportation sector accounting for nearly half of Accra’s particulate concentrations. The city of Accra, in particular, is plagued by high levels of pollution, leading to the premature deaths of over 28,000 Ghanaians annually, according to the World Health Organisation.
Schoolchildren in urban areas are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution, as highlighted by Emmanuel Tackey, the Headmaster of Osu Salem school. Tackey emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of students, especially given the proximity of the school to busy roads and the prevalence of vehicle emissions in the area.
To address the pressing issue of air pollution, a workshop was recently organized by the Clean Air Fund and Global Designing Cities Initiative, bringing together city engineers and technocrats from various Municipal Assemblies. The aim of the workshop was to explore innovative strategies to promote pedestrian mobility and reduce pollution levels in local communities.
Some countries have successfully repurposed vehicle lanes into bicycle lanes or implemented restrictions on vehicle usage in certain areas to combat air pollution. In Ghana, two schools in Osu are set to benefit from a similar initiative. The Clean Air Fund, sponsors of the project, hope to create safer environments for children to play in their schools and neighborhoods.
Victoria Owusu Tawiah, an Analyst with Clean Air Fund, explained that the project involves redesigning streets in the Korle Klottey municipality to improve air quality and create pollution-free spaces for children. The initiative will monitor air quality levels before, during, and after the redesigning process to identify pollution hotspots.
The Program Manager of GDCI, Hayrettin Gunc, outlined plans to pilot the project at one school to demonstrate the benefits of creating clean, safe play areas for children. However, challenges such as limited sidewalk space and the need to address road safety risks and air quality issues are expected during implementation.
Samuel Nii Adjei Tawiah, the Municipal Chief Executive of Korley Klottey Municipality, pledged support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to address parking challenges near schools and reduce pollution levels. The ultimate goal is to transform public spaces to prioritize people over vehicles and create healthier environments for all residents.
