It is estimated that Two thousand people die every year in Accra from air pollution. This is because they are exposed to emissions from vehicles and smoke which cause lung cancer, stroke and pulmonary disease.
This was revealed at a media briefing on Urban Health Initiative, which aims to reduce deaths and diseases caused by air and climate pollutants. According to experts, the number may increase rapidly if nothing is done immediately to check it.
The Urban Health initiative is a collaboration between the AMA and WHO to educate the public on the dangers of air pollution. It is also to help cities reap the benefits of policies and measures that tackle air and climate pollution.
The Chief Sustainability and Resilience Adviser to the AMA, Desmond Appiah said air pollution is a silent killer which must be tackled. Mr Appiah said air pollution kills more than malaria. He said the Assembly is making efforts to improve sanitation in the city.
A representative of the EPA, Emmanuel Appoh cautioned against open burning of refuse which he said has become a major problem in the cities. Mr. Appoh said there are monitoring mechanisms in place to check the level of pollution in the environment.
A Deputy Director of Nursing at the Ghana Health Service, Comfort Kugblenu urged the public to promote healthy behaviors and practice waste separation and recycling to reduce air pollution.
She said a child exposed to unsafe levels of pollution can face a lifetime health impact.
