Air Quality Assessment in Accra: A Sustainable Development Report

Current Air Quality Status and Implications for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

As of September 9, 2025, the air quality in Accra, Ghana, was classified as moderate, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 83. While this level is considered acceptable for the general population, it poses a health risk to sensitive groups, directly challenging the objectives of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

The long-term air quality data presents a more significant challenge to public health goals. Accra’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 36.3 µg/m³, a level 7.2 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) annual guideline. This chronic exposure to high levels of pollution is a major environmental health risk, contributing to an estimated 3,000 premature deaths annually and undermining progress towards SDG Target 3.9, which seeks to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution.

On the date of this report, Accra was ranked as the 9th most polluted major city globally, underscoring the urgency of addressing air quality as a critical component of public health and sustainable urban development.

Primary Drivers of Air Pollution and their Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Air pollution in Accra stems from a combination of anthropogenic and natural sources, each linked to specific challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Urban and Industrial Emissions Impacting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The city’s rapid urbanization has led to increased pollution from sources that directly conflict with the aims of SDG 11 to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Road Transport: Emissions from vehicles, particularly older models, and resuspended dust from unpaved roads account for approximately 39% of PM2.5. This highlights a critical need for sustainable transport systems, as targeted by SDG 11.2.
• Industrial Activities: Emissions from manufacturing, biomass-fueled power plants, and the informal burning of electronic waste contribute significantly to air pollution, indicating a need for cleaner industrial practices aligned with sustainable urban planning.

Household Energy and Waste Management Challenges for SDG 7 and SDG 12

Key pollution sources are directly tied to deficits in clean energy access and responsible consumption patterns.

• Household Energy Use: Over 60% of households rely on polluting solid fuels like charcoal and wood for cooking. This practice is a primary driver of both household and ambient air pollution, demonstrating a significant gap in achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
• Waste Management: The open burning of solid waste, which contributes 5-10% of pollution, points to inadequate waste management infrastructure and challenges progress towards SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Natural Factors

Seasonal Harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert (November-March) transport dust, significantly elevating particulate matter levels and compounding the health impacts of man-made pollution.

Mitigation Strategies and Strategic Outlook for SDG Attainment

Policy Frameworks and Future Projections

Accra is implementing strategies aimed at improving air quality, which are crucial for achieving long-term sustainability and health objectives.

1. Regulatory Implementation: The passage of new air quality management regulations in September 2025 is a foundational step. Enhanced monitoring and enforcement are expected to yield noticeable pollutant reductions by 2026, contributing to SDG 11.6 (reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities).
2. Long-Term Policy Scenarios: Projections indicate that strategic interventions could prevent thousands of premature deaths by 2030, directly advancing SDG 3. Key policy shifts include transitioning to cleaner household fuels (SDG 7) and improving public transport (SDG 11).
3. Integrated Management Plans: Continued efforts under frameworks like the Greater Accra Air Quality Management Plan are essential for driving sustained progress and integrating air quality management with broader urban health and sustainability initiatives.

Seasonal improvements are also expected during the wet season (April-October), as rainfall helps to reduce dust and disperse pollutants.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly connects air pollution in Accra to significant health risks. It mentions that pollutants “pose concerns for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions” and lead to “health risks including respiratory diseases and premature deaths estimated at around 3,000 annually in Accra.” The potential to “prevent thousands of premature deaths annually by 2030” through policy changes further strengthens this link.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article’s entire focus is on an environmental challenge within a major urban area, Accra. It discusses issues central to sustainable cities, such as air quality, waste management (“Open burning of solid waste”), and transportation (“emissions from older vehicles like tro-tros”). The mention of the “Greater Accra Air Quality Management Plan” and “urban health initiatives” highlights efforts to make the city more sustainable.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  A primary source of pollution identified is the lack of access to clean energy for households. The article states that “Over 60% of households rely on polluting fuels such as charcoal and wood for cooking.” It also proposes “shifting to cleaner household fuels” as a key solution, directly addressing the goal of ensuring access to clean and modern energy.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  While not the main focus, the sources of air pollution discussed are also major contributors to climate change. Emissions from road transport, industrial activities, and the burning of biomass (wood, charcoal) and waste release greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants like black carbon. Therefore, the proposed measures to improve air quality, such as improving public transport and shifting to cleaner fuels, would also serve as climate action initiatives.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

   This is the most central target. The article is dedicated to analyzing Accra’s air quality, identifying its causes (urban activities, waste burning), and discussing measures for its improvement, such as “air quality management regulations” and the “Greater Accra Air Quality Management Plan.”

2. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

   The article explicitly quantifies the health impact of air pollution, citing an estimate of “around 3,000” premature deaths annually. The long-term projection that policy changes “could prevent thousands of premature deaths annually by 2030” directly aligns with the objective of this target.

3. Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

   The article highlights a significant gap in access to modern energy, stating that “Over 60% of households rely on polluting fuels such as charcoal and wood for cooking.” The proposed solution of “shifting to cleaner household fuels” is a direct effort to achieve this target.

4. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all…

   The article identifies “Road transport: Accounting for nearly 39% of PM2.5, emissions from older vehicles like tro-tros” as a major pollution source. The suggestion to improve air quality by “improving public transport” directly supports the goal of creating more sustainable transport systems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).

   The article explicitly provides this indicator. It states, “Accra’s 2024 average PM2.5 concentration was 36.3 µg/m³,” and compares this to the “WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.” The real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) of 83 is also a direct measure of air quality.

2. Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.

   A direct measure for this indicator is provided in the article, which states there are “premature deaths estimated at around 3,000 annually in Accra” due to air pollution.

3. Indicator 7.1.2: Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology.

   This indicator is implied by its inverse. The article states that “Over 60% of households rely on polluting fuels such as charcoal and wood for cooking,” which means the proportion relying on clean fuels is less than 40%. Progress would be measured by an increase in this proportion.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: iqair.com