By Albert Oppong-Ansah
Accra, June 25, GNA – Afri-SET West, an air quality sensor evaluation and training facility, will launch Ghana’s first Air Quality Sensors Loan Library in July to expand public access to air quality monitoring tools.
The initiative will enable individuals, community groups and organisations to borrow air quality sensors, install them in their localities and assess air quality to support informed decision-making.
Dr. Allison Felix Hughes, Facility Manager of Afri-SET West, told the Ghana News Agency that preparations were underway to operationalise the facility, which had received more than 100 standardised air quality sensors for its initial phase.
“We are working round the clock to finish up logistics to formally open and operationalise it,” he said.
Dr. Hughes said the library would serve countries across West Africa and help address the region’s limited air quality monitoring capacity.
He noted that data generated through the initiative would support evidence-based policymaking and strengthen environmental governance.
Dr. Hughes said air pollution was associated with serious health conditions, including lung cancer, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, acute lower respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
“While breathing is essential for survival, exposure to poor air quality can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Inhaling unseen particles can pose significant and sometimes fatal health risks,” he cautioned.
Mr. Desmond Appiah, Ghana Lead for the Clean Air Fund (CAF), described the initiative as a timely intervention that would make environmental data more accessible to citizens.
“This is a great tool that will give citizens and groups an idea of the quality of air around them. The sensors have been calibrated, so they will give you real-time readings on whether you are breathing poor or healthy air,” he said.
He said the library would also benefit people engaged in outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging and cycling, by enabling them to make decisions based on real-time air quality information.
Mr. Appiah said the initiative would support local authorities to identify pollution hotspots, investigate their causes and implement targeted interventions.
“Making monitoring tools more accessible means supporting local data collection, raising public awareness, and assisting decision-makers in taking informed actions to enhance air quality,” he said.
Mr. Appiah noted that the loan model was suitable for Ghana, where financial, technical and infrastructure constraints had limited widespread air quality monitoring.
The Clean Air Fund says Accra could save about US$216 million through clean air interventions implemented between 2023 and 2040, representing approximately 20 per cent of the Government’s total health budget in 2022.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
25 June 2026
Reporter: Albert Oppong-Ansah
Email: [email protected]