Madina’s first-ever air pollution report highlights urgent need for action

The Member of Parliament for Madina  Francis-Xavier Sosu, on Thursday(13 March) received the first-ever report on particulate matter (PM) pollution in the constituency.

The report, prepared by Clean Air One Atmosphere (Clean Air OneA), was based on data collected from the Schools for Earth project at West Africa Senior High School, using an IQAir monitor.

Alarming Findings on Air Pollution

The findings indicate that air pollution in Madina poses a significant health risk, particularly to residents, business owners, and vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma.

Key pollution sources identified in the report include:Vehicular emissions from heavy traffic congestion.
Windblown dust from unpaved roads. Burning of solid fuels such as charcoal and firewood.

Call for Comprehensive Action

Sosu emphasized the need for a comprehensive redevelopment plan to tackle air pollution in Madina, stating that his office is committed to working with the Ghana Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to implement the report’s recommendations.

“We must develop a roadmap for cleaner air in Madina. This initiative highlights the urgent need for Ghana to recognize a constitutional right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as part of efforts to achieve SDG 13 – Climate Action,” he noted.

Next Steps

The Madina MP expressed gratitude to Mr. Maxwell Kojo Xonu (Deladem) and Joshua Akwasi Appiah for their dedication to gathering scientific data and initiating discussions on improving air quality in Madina and Ghana at large.

Moving forward, the findings will guide policy decisions, advocacy efforts, and environmental interventions to protect public health and ensure a cleaner, healthier future for Madina’s residents.

Source: ghextractives.com