Harmattan is not back; Accra air has become the most polluted worldwide
The Ghana Report is reliably informed that people living in Accra are at risk of air-borne infections as the city records the highest air pollution worldwide.
Ghana’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has shot up as high as 401 and is rated “hazardous” by IQAir, a Swiss air quality centre that collates weather reports from various stations.
As of Sunday, February 19, 2023, data obtained suggests that Accra may be leading all cities in the world with an AQI of 339, surpassing Delhi, Mumbai, Lahore, Dhaka, and Wuhan.
Accra residents may have noticed a hazy smog hanging over the city from Wednesday, February 15, with many concluding that “harmattan is back”.
However, experts have told The Ghana Report that what is being experienced is a high concentration of microscopic Particulate Matter (PM) of 2.5 which is currently 58 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
Several places within Accra, such as Kwashieman, exceeds the capital city index, with an AQI of 426.
At the same time, the US Embassy area in Cantonment has an AQI of 339, and the Accra Technical University enclave has recorded an AQI of 294.
“Accra is a city that has some fairly bad pollution issues, with several months on record in years past that would put many members of its population in danger due to the highly damaging effects that pollution exposure can bring, particularly to vulnerable members of the society.
“Such vulnerable groups present in Accra would be ones such as young children and the elderly, along with pregnant women, those with a heightened sensitivity towards pollution, as well as those with pre-existing illnesses or compromised immune systems,” IQAir explained, in additional notes to the report.
The main pollutants discovered were black carbon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3).
Examples of PM 10 are dust from construction sites, landfills and agriculture, wildfires and waste burning, industrial sources, wind-blown dust from open lands, pollen and fragments of bacteria.
Examples of PM 2.5 are tobacco smoke, cooking (e.g., frying, sautéing, and broiling), burning candles or oil lamps, and operating fireplaces and fuel-burning space heaters (e.g., kerosene heaters).
How do you protect yourself from air pollution in Accra?
- It is advised to close windows and doors at all times to prevent dirty outdoor air and do with indoor ventilation.
- Outdoor activities, including physical exercise, are not recommended.
- The public is also advised to wear pollution masks and use air purifiers if possible.
According to the WHO, almost every organ in the body can be impacted by air pollution.
Due to their small size, some air pollutants can penetrate the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the body, leading to systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity.
Air pollution is a risk for all-cause mortality as well as specific diseases.
The specific disease outcomes most strongly linked with exposure to air pollution include stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, and cataract (household air pollution only).
There is suggestive evidence also linking air pollution exposure with increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes (i.e. low-birth weight, small for gestational age), other cancers, diabetes, cognitive impairment and neurological diseases.
You allowed one person to own a huge portion of the Achimota forest as his will. The trees are being cut down. What did you expect ?
It’s not only Accra. Kumasi and Tamale and many places are experiencing the same weather pattern so is Ghana the most dangerous in terms of pollution?
Don’t mind them. This same thing dusty environment is also observed in Burkina Faso, Togo and Ivory coast, so what are they talking about?
Thank you for your opinion on this.
It is very perfect: “Don’t mind them”
Why are we forgetting our Creator (God) who helps us with all things beyond Human or our own Strengths, and allowing our fellow human beings to decide or conclude for us what is best or how our lives should go…
The Creator gave us a perfect environment. Let us not destroy it.
Hehe trueee
Good education. We need such updates at all times.
Yes there is God but u need to be vigilant and let’s us not take his Grace for a joke.
The creator wants you to use your brains to protect yourself from environmental hazards
Don’t mind them. That’s true. There’s a hidden agenda somewhere!!
Eeeii, when I was busily enjoying the weather, now this! Boi! Since 2019, man has never known peace! God have mercy.
You are ignorantly so pitiful and empty. That, this unfortunate incidents are taking place elsewhere is not a justifiction to defend the abnornal air pollution. Seems you are so ignorant about the risks to human life of air pollution. Pls educate yourself about the risks and costs of air pollution to mankind.
And the wHO never lies or ever have other agendas as the world leaders do the same Covid is another example of their lies. Not saying pollution isn’t an issue but they do have their own reasons
All die bi die
China the most polluted nation has not even seen anything like this. What is suddenly polluting our atmosphere? These are all lies being touted to introduce new rules for political games. Where is the scientific evidence? Long ago, harmattan used to go and come back between January and February. Nobody should bring the climate hoax here . Leave Africa alone.
I don’t believe this report. Because less populated areas far from Accra and big cities are experiencing the same weather conditions
Be there n fool
Why are we doing this to ourselves? This is harmattan haze coming all the way from the Sahara. The whole country and even the W.A subregion are affected.
That is true. I am in Kumasi and the atmosphere is dusty.
When such reports are presented we shouldn’t look at it as an ordinary report, life on earth is 100 percent supported by the Air and any human activity that’s affects the air quality must be taken serious. So what’s the stated funded EPA people doing?
I love Ghana.
It’s a combination of Harmatton and seasonal burning. Right now it is the most intense in years I. Most regions.
How accurate is this Report?
Yes it’s definitely dusty but it’s associated with the same Harmattan dry/cool feeling. Besides this is widespread to other rural areas other than Accra.
How does the AQI of non- harmattan months compare to the Harmattan season over the years?
Whoever wrote this report should come back with more data to support their claim.
If you check the weather forecast its just a dust storm blowing over, it will start clearing from Thursday when the winds change direction. Always do your research
Indeed. Ghana gas no industries. Where did all this pollution come from?
Fires, trafic, cooking, …….
All those areas have been compared and Accra is found to be the most polluted. Please read the text well. The text doesn’t say Ghana, but Accra. Those towns you named aren’t in space and could not have escaped if they were more polluted than Accra.
It is Harmattan. This happens every year after a little rain in February then harmattan comes back.
This is such a lie. I’m in Ho now.
Wish I could add a picture comment.
How do people just sit in Accra and lie for the whole of Ghana?
I mean, like how??????
Everything in Ghana has gone haywire. God save us.
Lies nkuaaaaa.
So after all this long winding grammar, you could not tell us where the supposed polution is coming from or what in Accra is causing it.
This is a lie and a conspiracy. We know how harmattan feels like
I agree with you…a very suspicious report smacking mischief
I don’t believe this. What is suddenly causing all this pollution just out of the blues like that?!!?
Say it again. How can it be so sudden?
God help us all
Another lie. How can air pollution happen just over night. Someone must tell us what these space explorers has put in the atmosphere.
Thank you
You are right, I’m also daunting
Report has loopholes…. this data you presented is back dated but you make it seem current.
God is our Creator. He will protect us but we have to Pray more and change our sinfull ways . Drought is coming. There are parts of the world with 3 years no rain.
This is a big, fat lie and a conspiracy. How can Ghana be the most polluted worldwide when there are countries like China and U.S.A. Stop allowing yourselves to be used by the West to propagate their evil schemes and neo-colonisation. Think before you post anything. Be a proactive and truthful reporter and media house.
Isn’t it about time that all the people writing the comments here lift their faces from their ancient and worthless books and try to get some proper education?
I am shocked by the inability of this population to move on from the old tropes so that they may take their place in the modern world.
I think it disgusting how people just thro plastic bags down. People its a health hazard. Tidy up areas round you. Change these habits by not throwing blackbags and water plastics down gold them till you can discharge of them.
I live in a complex and ashamed as people just dont care how filthy and unhealthy they live. Clean up your area stop distroying earth.
Yes Jean, I cut down my garbage disposal by filling empty bottles of water with all kinds of plastic bags, we can see the difference, they can be send to plastic recycle containers around the Accra City. Keep the environment clean.
The heavy over tow is very much prevalent out in Akosombo too where there is really not much pollution at all. The sands of the Sahara can be seen and smelt in the air. Ghana is a very popular Country in Africa whom facetious/devilish organisations would like to discredit for their own personal agendas. Hmmm, we must be careful of our so-called advisors.
We know how harmattan feels like .. I just called. Friend in Nigeria and they are experiencing the same thing
The one who prepared the report has eaten too much before going to bed, hence, hallucinating..
This is a big, fat lie and a conspiracy. How can Ghana be the most polluted worldwide when there are countries like China and U.S.A. Stop allowing yourselves to be used by the West to propagate their evil schemes and neo-colonisation. Think before you post anything. Be a proactive and truthful reporter and media house.
I said this some time back that we’re deforesting every known vegetation in Accra for settlement.This is the end product of our negligence as a state
Please, let’s get things straight and not allow anyone to put the population into distress. How much of air pollution does Ghana produce? I have been to cities in China and the aforementioned cities in India several times and Ghana is nowhere near half of the percentage to these countries when it comes to air pollution. And since when has the so called Swiss air quality company been part of the affairs of Ghana’s weather to start with? It’s the first time I’ve heard of that outfit’s name. And they’re saying it’s higher than all the world’s most air polluted countries?……Please give us a break!
You will never ever see the moonlight in China and India no matter how many years you live there so please let’s stop putting fear into people with these things. The weather has changed and that’s it. Let Ghanaians wait for it to change again as it always does please. Masks won’t purify the air before it goes into the lungs of people. This won’t be another plandemic. Please we have had enough from 2019 till date please give us a break.
Ghana needs to analyse it’s weather on its own and not any foreign country or company telling us what they think it looks like and putting fear into people. My opinion. I no kill person.
As a nation we need to be more concern about health related issues. Let’s plant more trees, show responsibilities in the care for our physical environment
I thought this was a lie until I Googled ‘most polluted city in the world today’. Although we weren’t number one, we were pretty high up. The fact that it’s harmattan season doesn’t mean our air can’t be polluted as well.
The probability of truth in this report is less than 1. We have lived with harmattan for ages and we know and feel it. We are also not surprised because this is the season. Why this long winding gramma? Please come with something different.
So what is the meteorological department doing to debunk this rumour or confirm it.
They must be proactive. This rumour had been in the news for some tome now.
THIS IS A LIE AND ANOTHER CONSPIRACY AGAINST AN AFRICAN NATION RECEIVING DIASPORAS. PLEASE DON’T BELIEVE THIS LIE. IT’S HARMATTAN PERIOD
I thought this was a lie until I Googled ‘most polluted city in the world today’. Although we weren’t number one, we were pretty high up. The fact that it’s harmattan season doesn’t mean our air can’t be polluted as well.
I think these “galamsey” have destroy all our forest leading to this menace.This nation is sinking slowly.Our leaders must rise up and act speedily.
Everything around us is evolving and for me I believe it’s due to global warming
If it’s about pollution, then we have to sit up
A report filled with exaggerated truths and muted lies.
This can not be be said to be a true story, how come, Takoradi, cape coast and even as far as northern region are also experiencing same harmattan like weather
The Government want to defraud the country again. So they are framing another issue
So what is happening at the other parts of the country if it’s not harmattan
Brothers and sisters, let us be very careful because this could be a weather warfare against us by the western powers so they can force their medication on us ; using their weather modification machines.
Lies! So all the west African countries simultaneously got the highest pollution in the world from firewood and smoking and frying ? Please do better. This is ridiculous.
This is what leaders want to you believe. Brain washing you through their pastors and churches. Which thereafter the church releases tension by prayers but does not expose the truth whatsoever (making you only reliant on your creator). God gave us brains to use. So when your neighbor is there burning stuff amongst them, plastic bags at his backyard what will God do?
Enough of the conspiracies against the African continent! Granted, the continent has her own issues with pollution, and of course just as all those holier-than-thou western nations.
Ghana, and by extension Africa is not the sole proprietor of filth, air pollution…whatever.
It appears that somehow the West succeeds in holding the African continent and other disadvantaged minority areas to ransom for their irresponsibilities. Has polluted the earth more than them??? … the giant industries in China, US, Japan, UK…etc spewing crap loads of Carbon emissions into the atmosphere, Habbaaaah!
Every nonsense is always directed to the colored nations, why?
I won’t blame them, it’s not their making- when you have a continent filled with careless and greedy people, that’s what you get in return.
What is the EPA’s position regarding the assertion under reference???
What’s holding them back from clarifying things for the people out there?
We as a people also need to change our attitudes and value systems towards growth, development and renaissance .
It is true that Accra is polluted. But the Hamattan is not only in Accra. I was in my hometown in Upper Denkyira West over the last weekend. The harmattan is even worse there
As neither Ghana not Burkina Faso nor any near surrounding countries have sufficient industries to create such pollution it is possible that this is due to increased annual bush burning before the planting season.
If it IS industrial pollution then where is it coming from?
Facts. Not making sense.
This is all lies. Ghana we have no factories no industrial plant so how can the air be polluted this ridiculous. What about China. They are putting fear in people so they can used this to kill we Ghanaians. And force us to put on masks and jab all of us to death. These cloud you see are man made cloud to fool we the people so we would comply to their satanic control of our life.
This is all lies. Ghana we have no factories no industrial plant so how can the air be polluted this ridiculous. What about China. They are putting fear in people so they can used this to kill we Ghanaians. And force us to put on masks and jab all of us to death. These cloud you see are man made cloud to fool we the people so we would comply to their satanic control of our life.
Harmattan + burnings + heavy trafic + cooking and that is already a lot
This is connected to the chemical burn in Ohio. There is no other antecedent to this phenomenon.
Is Accra worse than China and India in terms of pollution ?
Useless write-up….
Your comment is ignorant. Yes these things are measurable and have been measured. If you dont know something remain silent rather than to speak and reveal the ignorance. Yes Accra is as bad as India and China
Fake Report.What source is Ghana Report?
OK I live in Kumasi northwest and I know that the United States is the same way in Pittsburgh distill mines
This is absolute rubbish!
yes Ghana a stinking hell hole of a place
Accra is polluted because of cars that are not maintained well and the carbon you see feom exhaust yes that is causing it…most countries strictly regulate this, we dont or bribe our way. The landfills full of metals, computer parts etc are burnt..where do all those cancer causing chemicals go…into the air. The factories that make cement. hair products and other things..they expell into the air without any care…the trees we cut down and charcoal we use, also burnt. Ghana is a cess pool of pollution of air and water and of course people are dying young and we wonder why. We are destroying ourselves through ignorance. Next time vote for someone who actually cares about Ghana and its citizens. Written by a scientist who actually knows about these things.
I can NEVER trust this report. For me it looks like these people are trying to hide the real Truth behind this “bad pollution”
If at least they had tried to talk about climate change a bit I could accept. Because it can not be Accra alone in Ghana. Many people have already testified the same thing is happening in Kumasi and Tamale even in other countries around. How many industries we have in Accra and you want to talk about it? I am rather in the opinion that these rulers can Poison the atmosphere here and there like their pandemic continuation to try to kill many people or create an atmosphere of distraction so we do not think about their bad governance from the WHO and so one. Let’s All do our own independent enquiries. Let’s s not trust them . This report is not genuine
This isn’t true. Even where I am in the Volta Region is experiencing the same phenomenon. This is a disingenuous alarmist, simple and short!
This is a big, fat lie and a conspiracy. How can Ghana be the most polluted worldwide when there are countries like China and U.S.A. Stop allowing yourselves to be used by the West to propagate their evil schemes and neo-colonisation. Think before you post anything. Be a proactive and truthful reporter and media house.
Ghana has no industries. Is the pollution from the sellers. Please be more truthful in your reporting
THESE ARE MEANINGLESS STRING OF WORDS DESIGNED TO DAMAGE OUR LOVABLE & WELCOMING NATION. “FRAGMENTS OF BACTERIA” EXIST IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD!!! FYI, THE HARMATTAN SEASON IS STILL WITH US!
Ghanaians will never change… lol , the comment section alone.
Are we also responsible for Europe experiencing so much snow at this time? They should please give us break with this false information. Note that this weather condition is experienced in the entire nation and other countries as well
I agree with the Report’s third recommendation…to wear protective masks, but totally disagree with its first and second, as we have lived safely with harmattan all these years. We do need outdoor exercises …gardening, walking, running etc,..for our wellbeing. Closing our windows and doors “at all times,” while remaining indoors, will expose us to dangerous levels of carbon dioxide (from our electrical appliances) and kitchen gas fumes.
How can Ghana surpass India and China in air pollution, this is fake news. Stop lying
Well, just look at the state of the cars and the level of the pollution they are emiting……
Accra has more populated air than Wuhan? How can you tell me this story!
It is Harmattan. This happens every year after a little rain in February then harmattan comes back.
People are experiencing the same thing in Togo and even in Chad (central Africa). It’s not only Accra. Away with that pollution BS…
Is funny. If Accra is most polluted or even Ghana then what about Ukraine that is receiving bombs every day for a year now. Please do your research well. We experience late rainfall even around November some part of the country was still experiencing rain. So is simple. Late rains, late harmattan. I remembered I asked my lecturer about the formation of rain and he gave that explanation we all know. Then I asked him why there are no rainfalls during the harmattan season when we even experience more sunshine? Till now am yet to receive my answer. Is simple harmattan and rainfall are from God . He decides who and when . So forget all this science thing.
All this things that has been going on nowadays are evidence that tells us that we are in the end time of this world. so let’s be careful in our ways. Things are getting out of hand. Luke21:11
How can Ghana surpass India and China in air pollution, this is fake news
All said well and done. Have we examine the type of thick black smoke coming out of our diesel vehicles? Many have exceeded the allowed limits but dangerously ply our roads with ultimate death fumes. Come on let’s protect ourselves from these pollution smoke. Stop them and not lives.
Humanity is all we have left, we need to work together to make our country better
So you people still believe WHO right, after they lied to the whole world about covid, now millions of people have died all over the world, people are still dying from the vaccines, South Africans have now come out that the covid vaccines has killed a lot of people so no more vacancies, eyiii you should be careful, there is an agenda so that they will now introduce something to Ghana, if u love your life, what if this same people and the ones blowing something in our air at night? P
In fact, because of this article, I’ll go to Keta on Thursday, take pictures, and return here to comment again. 🙄
This issues about air pollution is not only in Accra but is everywhere in the country because instead of the authorities responsible for the protection of the environment to take actions, they won’t and when things get bad, then we start to play the blame games.
So Accra is more polluted than the industrialized cities in the world? Please don’t take us for a joke. We know the countries and cities polluting the world and Ghana is not one of them. Pollution is not a one day affair. When did they notice this pollution in Accra ? We the people living in Accra know how felt in the weather and can tell the difference between harmattan and pollution. Please stop patronizing us !