The 2024 World Air Quality Report identifies Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda as highly polluted nations, with Chad being the most polluted with a shocking PM2.5 level of 91.8 µg/m³. The report emphasizes the health crisis caused by pollution, projecting significant annual deaths in Ghana alone. Rising pollution levels are alarming and prompt calls for stricter regulations to mitigate this crisis.
The 2024 World Air Quality Report has revealed a concerning state of air pollution in Africa, with Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda being noted among the most polluted countries globally. This report underlines a critical air quality crisis that poses a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of millions of people across the continent.
Chad emerged as the most polluted nation, exhibiting a PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 µg/m³—nearly 18 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 µg/m³. Nigeria ranked 11th with 40.1 µg/m³, while Rwanda and Ghana were ranked 9th and 14th, respectively, with PM2.5 levels of 40.8 µg/m³ and 35.8 µg/m³. PM2.5 particles are notorious for causing severe health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, due to their minuscule size.
Data from the University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index indicates that air pollution can shorten lifespans by 2.7 years in heavily polluted regions. The World Health Organization estimated that in 2019, air pollution was responsible for 28,000 deaths annually in Ghana alone. Globally, air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths in 2021, prompting urgent calls for remedial action to address this looming health crisis.
Ghana is experiencing a notable increase in air pollution, with levels now seven times higher than WHO guidelines. The capital city, Accra, ranks as the 16th most polluted capital worldwide. Surprisingly, Kumasi has been identified as the most polluted city in Ghana, recording PM2.5 at 39.5 µg/m³. In comparison, Ghana’s pollution levels have significantly escalated from a ranking of 27th in 2022 to 14th in 2024, establishing a concerning trend.
The report indicated that Africa is grappling with extensive pollution and limited monitoring capabilities, with Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, and Nigeria making up five of the world’s top ten most polluted countries. Alarmingly, only 24 out of 54 African countries have reported air quality data, reflecting a severe deficiency in monitoring infrastructure. Furthermore, substantial pollution levels exceeding WHO guidelines were reported in many cities throughout the continent.
Air pollution is now recognized as a public health crisis in Ghana. WHO calculations show that air pollution causes a death every 19 minutes, resulting in an estimated monthly death toll of 2,333 if current trends persist. The economic implications are also alarming, with projections suggesting that air pollution in urban centers could cost the Ghanaian economy up to $137.8 billion by 2040 if effective action is not undertaken.
Despite the dire circumstances, there are still regions achieving cleaner air; only 17% of global cities meet the WHO air quality guideline. The cleanest countries include Australia, the Bahamas, Estonia, and New Zealand. In Africa, the only city meeting WHO standards is Nieuwoudtville in South Africa.
Critical factors contributing to Africa’s persistent air pollution include rapid urbanization, industrial emissions, and unregulated waste burning. The IQAir report reveals a concerning rise in PM2.5 levels due to increased industrial activities. Moreover, non-governmental organizations have taken a more significant role in air quality data collection, highlighting governmental shortcomings in effective monitoring.
Recognizing the deteriorating air quality, experts advocate for tightening vehicle emissions regulations, investing in renewable energy, expanding air quality monitoring stations, and implementing strict anti-burning policies. With Ghana now ranked among the top 15 polluted countries, immediate and coordinated action is crucial to avert an increasingly dire public health crisis.
In summary, the 2024 World Air Quality Report underscores a pressing air pollution crisis in Africa, particularly highlighting the severe conditions in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda. The alarming levels of PM2.5 pollutants pose grave health risks and threaten economic stability. Urgent measures are required to implement stricter environmental regulations, enhance air quality monitoring, and promote cleaner energy alternatives to mitigate the impact of air pollution on public health and wellbeing.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
