Breathe Accra has expanded its air quality monitoring network to over 50 sensors across the capital. This significant growth means municipal assemblies now have access to real-time data on air pollution levels. The project aims to provide actionable insights for environmental policy and enforcement.
The expansion is part of Breathe Accra's phase two efforts, supported by Breathe Cities. Thirteen municipal assemblies each received three new sensors. This brings the total number of monitoring points to more than fifty. Previous monitoring efforts were hampered by a lack of sufficient data. This new network represents the largest of its kind in Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Air pollution in Accra remains a major concern. Sources include vehicle emissions, waste burning, and dust. For years, authorities lacked the scientific data to pinpoint pollution hotspots. Desmond Appiah of the Clean Air Fund highlighted Africa's low data collection rates. He stated that this hinders policymakers' ability to act effectively. Without data, enforcing environmental regulations, like the ban on open waste burning, has been difficult. Ayawaso North's Environmental and Municipal Health Officer, Richard Donkor, noted that one monitoring location showed alarmingly high PM 2.5 levels. PM 2.5 refers to fine particles that can harm human health.
Kelvin Yeboah, Project Coordinator for Breathe Accra, explained the project's objective. "So now that we've given them sensors and training, they have access to the data, which will lead to policy decisions and inform their activities, including enforcing their bylaws," he said. Yeboah expects assemblies will now be better equipped to enforce bylaws against open burning. This will be backed by data from the local sensors newly installed.
The new sensors monitor dangerous pollutants like particulate matter and nitrous oxide. These are linked to serious health issues. Municipal and Environmental Health Officer for Ayawaso West Municipality, Alhaji Shaani Murtala, confirmed the data's impact. "As far as we are concerned, before the sensors, we had not seen the effect of it as compared to when the sensor was mounted at Tetteh Quarshie," he stated. The data will help identify areas with high pollution. It will also inform public education campaigns. Authorities may use the data to prosecute offenders. Richard Donkor expressed excitement about having real data to convince the public.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve environmental governance in Accra. The availability of real-time, hyperlocal data is a significant step. It allows for precise identification of pollution sources. This can inform targeted interventions by municipal authorities. The project is a collaboration with New Narratives and funded by the Clean Air Fund. This extended network can help protect public health and improve the quality of life in the capital.