Air quality in Accra has reached a hazardous level, according to the Air Monitoring Index site IQ Air. The report indicates that the current Air quality index stands at 314 with the main particles being fine particle matter or PM 2.5.
According to the data, PM 2.5 concentration in Accra is currently 50 times the annual air quality guideline value of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Speaking on the matter on Accra-based Joy News, data analyst, Isaac Kofi Agyei, said the current air quality is nothing to write home about and it is dangerous to breathe in.
“If you look at the scale, we are currently at the last stage of that scale, which means that the air quality in Accra is hazardous and it is not safe for breathing. Air pollution is all across the major towns of Accra” he said.
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He further indicated that some other major cities in coastal West Africa like Lagos, Yamoussoukro, and Lome are also experiencing bad air quality.
“This is worrying because globally, about 7 million people die as a result of, you know, air pollution across the globe” he added.
Mr Agyei advised that people should avoid outdoor exercises and wear nose masks when outside. Also, individuals should avoid crowded places and close windows to prevent outdoor particles from coming into their rooms.
Meanwhile, a senior Meteorologist at the Central Focus Office for Ghana Meteorological Agency, Joshua Asamoah, revealed that some other areas in the country are also experiencing significant deterioration in air quality.
He mentioned that the situation can only be remedied by government policies targeted at major contributors like vehicle and industrial emissions.
The government of Ghana on February 1 introduced a new tax policy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on internal combustion engine vehicles.
However, stakeholders, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), have opposed the move by the government stating that the current economic hardships make it an unfavourable time to implement the tax.
The GPRTU also indicated they will increase transport fares should the emissions tax be implemented.