The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is warning of a worrying surge in respiratory-related illnesses nationwide, linking the trend to Ghana’s increasingly poor air quality and calling for stricter enforcement of environmental standards.
Health facilities across the country have recorded sharp increases in asthma attacks, acute respiratory infections in children, chronic coughs, and severe breathing difficulties. According to the Service, pregnant women and young children remain the most vulnerable as exposure to polluted air continues to rise.
Addressing participants at the Breathe Accra National Stakeholder Convening, Dr. Akosua Gyasi from the Public Health Division said the effects of air pollution stretch far beyond respiratory complications.
“We continue to see high numbers of asthma cases, acute respiratory infections in children, chronic cough, and breathing difficulties,” she said.
According to the public health expert, the long-term health implications are even more concerning.
“Air pollution also contributes to cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and other heart-related conditions, which are becoming more common, not only in urban areas but among populations across the country.”
Dr. Gyasi is calling for an urgent scale-up of air quality monitoring systems nationwide, coupled with stronger national efforts to transition to cleaner energy and promote low-emission transportation options.
