VAST calls for urgent policy overhaul as air pollution kills thousands in Ghana

Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development (VAST) Ghana sounded the alarm over what it describes as a growing "breathing crisis" in Ghana. The organization released a policy brief titled "Breathing Crisis: Making Air Pollution a Priority in Ghana's National NCD Response" on March 24, 2026, calling on the government to integrate air pollution control measures into national strategies for combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The report highlights that air pollution is now the second leading risk factor for premature death globally, responsible for an estimated 7.9 million deaths annually, with more than 90 percent occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana.

The report states that "Air pollution is one of the most significant but overlooked drivers of NCDs globally," linking it to diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, stroke, chronic respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, diabetes, and even mental health disorders. Data from the Global Air Report indicates that 23,100 deaths in 2023 were linked to household air pollution from solid fuels alone. Among these, 4,541 were children under the age of 10, while 12,790 were adults between 50 and 85 years. The World Bank estimates that air pollution costs Ghana approximately 4.2 percent of its GDP annually. Labram Musah, Executive Director, Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana, warned that failure to address air pollution could place enormous strain on emerging health financing initiatives such as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

VAST Ghana is urging government and stakeholders to take immediate and coordinated action. Key recommendations include integrating air pollution control into Ghana's next National NCD Policy, expanding and modernising air quality monitoring systems, restricting the importation of high-emission vehicles, promoting cleaner household energy solutions such as solar power, strengthening enforcement of