Parliament has passed the long-awaited Air Quality Management Regulation, a landmark law designed to improve air quality and strengthen enforcement standards across Ghana. The announcement was made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Professor Nana Ama Brown Klutse, during the commemoration of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Tema.
Prof. Klutse, in a speech delivered on her behalf, expressed joy at the passage of the new regulation, stressing that it will soon be available for implementation. She explained that the law will not only promote cleaner air but also enhance enforcement of standards nationwide.
She emphasized the need for an Air Quality Information Management System, urging stakeholders to provide data and support to ensure successful implementation. Prof. Klutse commended individuals and groups monitoring air quality, noting that “we are racing against time for clean air, racing for solutions, racing for survival for the entire ecosystem.”
Highlighting clean air as both a fundamental right and a crucial factor in the fight against climate change, she outlined several EPA interventions:
- Enforcement of environmental assessment regulations requiring industries to adopt preventive measures, install pollution control systems, and monitor emissions.
- Deployment of the Ghana Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (GOCEMS) for real-time monitoring and rapid response to emission incidents.
- Development of comprehensive air quality standards with the Ghana Standards Authority, covering industrial, vehicular, and ambient emissions.
- Public awareness campaigns and the implementation of the Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) for the Greater Accra Region, targeting pollution from transport, industry, and waste management.
The EPA has also expanded its air quality monitoring network in Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi, Tema, and Tamale. With support from the Energy Institute of Chicago (EPIC) Air Quality Fund, a new network in Tema now includes seven low-cost sensors, with a reference-grade monitor to be installed by the end of the year.
Prof. Klutse appealed to stakeholders to support the initiative further, especially in Tema, which serves as Ghana’s main harbour and industrial enclave.
Through these measures, she affirmed, Ghana is taking decisive steps toward cleaner air, healthier communities, and a sustainable environment.