GAYO demands urgent action to address Accra’s poor air quality amid rising deaths

Maxwell Nyagamago 10:38 - 01 December 2025

The Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) has raised urgent concern over the deteriorating air quality in Ghana, particularly in the capital, Accra.

The warning follows the State of Global Air 2025 report, which estimated that 32,500 people in Ghana died in 2023 from illnesses linked to air pollution, marking a slight increase from 31,900 deaths in 2022.

Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO)

Of the 2023 deaths, 4,541 were children under ten, largely due to household air pollution, while 12,790 were adults aged 50 to 85, mostly suffering from heart- and lung-related diseases.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a capacity-building workshop for Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), GAYO’s Project Coordinator for Zero Waste, Mabel Naa Amorkor Laryea, described the data as alarming and called for a collaborative approach to tackle the problem.

Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO)

She noted,

One thing I know is that most people do not realise how poor our air quality is. Many do not know that even the charcoal we use contributes to air pollution. Emissions from cars and motorbikes, as well as the burning of our waste, all add to the problem.

She added:

Poor air quality does not only cause breathing problems; it can also contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and several other health conditions. These illnesses are not always natural occurrences. Some are directly linked to the pollution we expose ourselves to, and this is what people need to pay closer attention to.

On his part, the Greater Accra Regional NADMO Director, Dennis Nartey Adjarnor, highlighted the dangers of plastic waste and stressed the importance of public education.

Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO)

He stated,

You see refuse heaps burning, people burning waste indiscriminately in their homes, and factories releasing harmful emissions. Some factories do not even have proper chimneys to release polluted air safely. These are the issues we identify when we conduct our factory inspections.

Meanwhile, GAYO urged the government, industries and residents to take immediate action to reduce emissions, promote cleaner alternatives, and strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations.

The organisation called for a nationwide awareness campaign to educate citizens on the dangers of air pollution and the measures they can take to protect their health.

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