The Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana, Vibeke Sandholm Pedersen, has identified the open burning of waste as a significant contributor to air pollution in Ghana’s major cities.
Poor air quality in Ghana is mainly caused by cooking using wood and charcoal, road transport, slash-and-burn methods of farming, and open waste burning.
This practice, which often involves burning plastic materials, has a detrimental impact on public health, exacerbates climate change, and leads to severe air pollution.
The Ambassador, who observes the illegal open burning of waste even in her Accra neighbourhood, highlighted the difficulty in stopping it.
Pedersen suggests that public awareness campaigns, similar to those promoting waste management in Denmark, are crucial to combating this problem. She emphasises that community involvement, including waste sorting, adoption of clean technologies, and the creation of green spaces for urban gardening, can effectively address air pollution.
She encourages Ghana to view the transition to clean air not as a burden but as an opportunity for innovation, job creation, the growth of sustainable industries, and the development of healthier communities. She believes that by investing in sustainable practices, such as renewable energy and waste management solutions, Ghana can pave the way for a brighter and healthier future for its citizens.
The Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana made these remarks during JoyNews’ National Dialogue on Clean Air and Election 2024, a conference that aimed to bring stakeholders together to discuss solutions for environmental challenges, particularly climate change.
Major contributors to air pollution from anthropogenic sources or human activities in Ghana include emissions from transportation vehicles, industrial processes, and urban development.
Credit: Myjoyonline.com
