Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, Rwanda Among the Most Polluted Countries in…

The 2024 World Air Quality Report reveals that Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda are among the globe’s most polluted nations, with Chad recording the highest PM2.5 levels. This pollution poses serious health risks, including respiratory diseases, and threatens economic stability. Immediate action is required to address these air quality issues and safeguard public health in Africa.

The 2024 World Air Quality Report has unveiled alarming levels of air pollution in Africa, with Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda ranking among the world’s most affected countries. The report underscores a significant air quality crisis endangering countless lives across the continent. Notably, Chad recorded an unprecedented PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 µg/m³, vastly exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 5 µg/m³. Nigeria, Rwanda, and Ghana followed closely with PM2.5 levels of 40.1 µg/m³, 40.8 µg/m³, and 35.8 µg/m³, respectively, indicating a dire situation in air quality management.

PM2.5 particles pose a substantial health risk, as they can infiltrate the lungs and bloodstream, resulting in severe health issues such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. With these particles being significantly smaller than dust and human hair, they represent a significant but often overlooked danger. According to the University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index data, air pollution reduces life expectancy by an average of 2.7 years in affected areas, emphasizing the far-reaching impacts of this crisis.

In Ghana specifically, WHO data from 2019 attributed approximately 28,000 annual deaths to air pollution. Moreover, globally, air pollution reportedly claimed 8.1 million lives in 2021, translating to around 22,192 deaths per day, with a distressing statistic of one child dying every minute due to pollution. Without intervention, air pollution continues to threaten thousands more lives each year.

The air quality in Ghana has escalated to seven times above the WHO’s safe limit, with Accra ranked as the 16th most polluted capital globally at a PM2.5 level of 36.3 µg/m³. Surprisingly, Kumasi emerged as the most polluted city in Ghana for the first time, with levels reaching 39.5 µg/m³. Compared to previous years, Ghana’s pollution has markedly worsened, climbing from 27th globally in 2022 to 14th in 2024, reflecting a significant increase in PM2.5 levels.

Africa is grappling with extensive pollution issues hindered by inadequate monitoring systems. The report shows that five of the world’s top ten polluted countries are located in Africa. Furthermore, only 24 out of 54 African nations have reported air quality data, showcasing a stark lack of monitoring capabilities that exacerbate the public health crisis in these regions. Notably, The City of Lagos was excluded from the rankings due to insufficient air quality data, highlighting critical gaps in monitoring.

Air pollution in Ghana is categorically a public health emergency, with WHO projections indicating that if current trends persist, at least 2,333 individuals will perish monthly from toxic air exposure. This predicament is accelerating, as evidenced by Ghana’s transition from the 27th most polluted nation in 2022 to the 14th in 2024, with PM2.5 levels markedly rising.

Health implications of PM2.5 exposure include various diseases and cognitive decline, while the economic ramifications are equally significant; a report by the Clean Air Fund estimates that ongoing pollution could cost Ghana’s economy $137.8 billion by 2040 if urgent measures are not implemented. On a global scale, a mere 17% of cities meet WHO’s pollution guidelines, underscoring the critical need for remedial action.

Factors contributing to Africa’s air pollution issues include rapid urbanization, population growth, industrial emissions, and uncontrolled waste burning. The rising PM2.5 levels in Kinshasa illustrate the impact of increasing industrial activities coupled with inadequate air quality monitoring. The fact that non-governmental organizations currently supply two-thirds of air quality data demonstrates an urgent necessity for enhanced governmental monitoring efforts.

To combat these challenges, experts urge Ghana’s government to implement stricter regulations targeting vehicular emissions, increase investments in renewable energy, and expand air quality monitoring infrastructures. The growing pollution crisis calls for immediate action to protect public health and environmental integrity. Should these challenges remain unaddressed, the air quality will likely deteriorate further, resulting in increasingly dire consequences for the population.

The 2024 World Air Quality Report indicates that Ghana, Nigeria, Chad, and Rwanda are among the most polluted nations, with alarmingly high PM2.5 levels. This crisis imposes severe health risks and threatens economic stability across Africa. Immediate and systematic governmental action is imperative to combat air pollution through enhanced regulations and monitoring to safeguard public health and restore air quality. Failure to act could lead to ongoing detrimental impacts on both population health and economic viability.

Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com