The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a strong advisory to safeguard the public from the health risks posed by the current dusty dry air, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), reports the Ghana News Agency.
Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with heart or lung conditions, are urged to wear nose masks.
The EPA also recommends limiting outdoor activities, as high pollution levels can trigger allergies, worsen asthma, and exacerbate other health issues.
PM2.5 particles—tiny harmful solids or liquids such as dust, soot, and smoke—can penetrate deep into the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, impairing organ function and posing serious health risks.
Accra was ranked as having the worst air quality in the world earlier in 2024 because of the Harmattan season.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned commuters to exercise caution as harmattan conditions intensify in the coming weeks.
The dry and dusty winds are expected to significantly reduce visibility on highways nationwide, creating hazards for road users.
Chief Forecaster Felicity Ahafianyo advises drivers to slow down, use fog lights when available, and avoid unnecessary travel during peak dust hours.
Visibility across all 16 regions is expected to drop to between one and five kilometres during the day, with some areas, such as Nkawkaw to Kumasi, experiencing less than one kilometre in the mornings.
“From today through next week and into the new year, we anticipate reduced visibility, especially in forest regions,” Ahafianyo told Joy News.
She also noted that afternoons will remain hot, with dusty and foggy conditions further complicating travel.