Air pollution in Ghana incurs an annual economic cost of around GHS 7.1 billion. This figure represents approximately 4.5 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product, according to a 2020 World Bank report. This substantial financial burden underscores the severe impact of air quality on Ghana’s economy and public health.
The high cost is driven by factors such as vehicle emissions, smoke from waste burning, and cooking fuels. These pollutants lead to serious health issues. A 2017 World Health Organisation estimate suggests air pollution causes about 28,000 preventable deaths in Ghana yearly. In the Greater Accra region alone, over 2,800 premature deaths were linked to air pollution in 2015.
To address this, the Air Quality Sensor Evaluation and Training Facility for West Africa (Afri-SET) is working to improve air quality monitoring. Afri-SET, based at the University of Ghana's Department of Physics, recently held its third regional workshop for West Africa. The four-day event, from May 18 to May 21, 2026, focused on air quality sensors and data analysis. Participants included researchers, students, policymakers, and NGOs from across West Africa. The workshop aimed to build expertise in using and interpreting data from air quality sensors.
Desmond Appiah, Country Lead for the Clean Air Fund in Ghana, highlighted a key challenge. He stated that many air quality sensors are developed outside Africa. These foreign-made sensors may not perform accurately in Ghana's specific weather conditions and pollution types. He noted that heat and humidity can affect sensor readings. This makes it difficult to get reliable data. Afri-SET's work is vital because it evaluates these sensors in realistic African environments. This ensures that data collected is relevant and trustworthy for policy decisions.
Dr. Allison Felix Hughes, Facility Manager of Afri-SET, explained the facility's mission. Afri-SET evaluates low-cost air quality sensors. It tests their performance under African weather and pollution conditions. Dr. Hughes emphasised that pollution sources in Africa differ from those in Europe or North America. Therefore, sensors need to be tested locally. The training also covers how to analyse and visualise the data collected by these sensors. This equips participants with the skills to make sense of the information.
The workshop used a "training of trainers" model. This means participants learn skills they can then teach to others. This approach helps to build broader technical capacity across West Africa. The overall goal is to ensure that policymakers have access to accurate, actionable data on air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Ghana acknowledges the alarming air pollution situation. They confirm that particulate matter concentrations often exceed national standards. This means almost everyone in Ghana breathes air that is more polluted than the World Health Organisation recommends.
The World Bank report from 2020 estimates the economic burden of air pollution at GHS 7.1 billion. This highlights the pressing need for effective air quality management strategies. The EPA has enacted regulations like LI2507 to manage air quality. However, the effectiveness of these measures depends on robust data. Afri-SET’s work directly supports this need. By improving sensor reliability and data analysis skills, the project aims to inform better environmental policies. These policies can help reduce the significant economic and health costs of air pollution in Ghana and the wider West African region. The project's success will be measured by the increased availability and use of accurate air quality data in policymaking.