Toxic Air, Blocked Airways - The toll of Ghana’s poor air quality on asthmatics

The Ghanaian Times is deeply concerned by the escalating air pollution crisis in Ghana and its devastating impact on public health, particularly for those suffering from chronic conditions like asthma. The story of young Myles, a two-year-old battling severe asthma exacerbated by the dust from prolonged road construction along the Pokuase-Nsawam highway, alongside vehicle emissions, cooking fumes, and waste burning, is a stark illustration of a pervasive problem.

Myles' mother, Bernice, eloquently captures the daily struggle: "Every day is a prayer." Her efforts to protect her son—maintaining a toiletry bag with masks and inhalers, ensuring nebuliser treatments, and adhering to strict routines—are met with the harsh reality that his condition remains precarious. The family's ordeal, marked by frequent hospital visits, missed school terms, and significant financial, emotional, and psychological strain, is a burden shared by many Ghanaian families. Bernice's sacrifice of her corporate job to care for Myles underscores the profound personal cost of this environmental crisis.

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Every day is a prayer. I don’t know where he will go. I try to protect him, but it’s not always possible. I just pray God sees him through each day.

This situation is not isolated; it reflects a national health challenge. The Ghana Health Service estimates that approximately one million Ghanaians live with asthma, with over 80,000 new cases annually. Children, like Myles, are particularly vulnerable. While asthma has global implications, the situation in Ghana is compounded by factors common to many low- and middle-income countries: underdiagnosis of the condition and limited access to consistent, affordable healthcare. The World Health Organization's statistics on global asthma deaths, nearly all occurring in such nations, serve as a grim reminder of our vulnerability.

Experts increasingly identify environmental pollution as a primary driver of deteriorating respiratory health. Accra, as one of Africa's fastest-growing cities, grapples with inadequate waste management, weak regulation of vehicle emissions, and low adoption of clean cooking fuels. These systemic issues create a toxic air environment that affects millions. The Ghanaian Times believes that urgent, comprehensive action is needed from both government and citizens to address the root causes of air pollution, implement stricter environmental regulations, and improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Ignoring this crisis not only threatens individual lives but also undermines the nation's overall public health and development.

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Almost every two weeks, we are at the hospital. Sometimes we miss an entire school term. It is exhausting — financially, emotionally and psychologically. And society doesn’t make it easier.