World Environment Day: AMA to install air quality monitoring sensor in Accra

General News on Friday, June 7, 2019

Source: Metropolitan Assembly of Accra

2019-06-07

Mohammed Adjei Sowah, Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), announced his intention to install an air quality monitoring sensor in Accra in order to provide real-time information on the quality of air in and around the city to facilitate decision-making.

Mayor Sowah announced in Accra Thursday at an event to celebrate this year's World Environment Day under the theme: #BeatAirPollution.

The day, celebrated each year on June 5, aims to deepen knowledge on the protection and conservation of the environment.

He pointed out that air pollution is a silent killer without borders and that we know that he kills about nine million people every year in the world, adding that in Accra, 2 000 deaths due to air pollution are recorded each year.

"The burden of disease indicates an upward trend in reported cases of lung disease, stroke, asthma, cancer and many more throughout our city, as it is the case in other cities of the developing world, "he said.

He added that as part of efforts to solve the problems related to air pollution in the city, the Assembly had distributed tree seedlings to primary schools in the metropolis, put in place a waste separation program in primary schools to promote recycling, distributed bins to high schools. (SHS) and communities such as Jamestown and Mamprobi to discourage burning waste.

He added that the Assembly is also promoting energy efficiency in public buildings and high schools and has installed a 5 kilowatt solar power plant for SHA Accra Girls.

"I signed the city on the initiative # Cities4Forests and in the coming weeks, the city will embark on a tree planting exercise in the metropolitan core schools … J & # I also urged the city to halve its garbage landfill by 2025, hence the partnership with the private sector for the construction of more landfills. Recycling plants in the city, in addition to the new waste collection, recycling and composting plant built along the road to the morgue.

Ghana's second lady, Samira Bawumia, said in a remark that the local theme "Clean Air, Our Lifeline and Shared Responsibility" summarized Ghana's position on air pollution.

She said, "The use of clean, safe and effective cooking stoves can reduce exposure to harmful fumes and provide many environmental and climate benefits, adding that access to cooking solutions clean improves health, reduces poverty, protects the environment, improves livelihoods and improves gender equity. and empower women at one stroke. "

Deputy Minister of the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and Asokwa MP in the Ashanti region, the Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, in a keynote speech, pointed out that the government was working diligently to create sustainable business models in environmental and waste management, adopting the concept of circular economy.

She stated that her department was working with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the effective enforcement of environmental laws and guidelines, such as vehicle emission standards, and to prohibit vehicles not in compliance with emission standards and efficiency. "

She encouraged everyone to take concrete action to make the planet greener and cleaner in order to eradicate poverty.

"Plant a tree, clean your local gutter, avoid emissions, do not burn in the open air and hold companies accountable for their environmental practices," she said.

The day was also marked by the planting of trees in the streets of the enclave of the ministries in Accra.