EPA Kasoa Area Office to install five new air quality monitors

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Kasoa Area Office is set to deploy five new air quality monitoring stations across the Central Region to address a critical data gap in the area. This initiative comes as part of an urgent response to deteriorating air conditions, which are linked to significant health risks. According to the State of Global Air 2025 report, air pollution is responsible for more than 32,000 deaths annually in Ghana, making it the second leading cause of death in the country.

Public health data indicates that Ghana’s average PM2.5 level is 12.91 ug/m3, a figure that is more than double the safety guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO). These high levels of pollution are directly associated with severe health outcomes, including strokes and neonatal deaths. Despite these risks, the Central Region has historically lacked the necessary monitoring resources to track pollution levels accurately and inform local residents.

The project is being managed in partnership with Quali-Breeze and aims to enhance air quality management capabilities throughout the region. Beyond technical data collection, the initiative is designed to support community engagement and public education. By providing localized and accessible data, the EPA intends to raise awareness about the health hazards of air pollution and encourage the adoption of cleaner practices among the public.

This expansion in the Central Region represents a proactive step in the EPA's broader strategy to improve environmental oversight across the country. As urban centers like Kasoa continue to grow, the agency plans to use the data from these new monitors to guide future policy interventions. The ultimate goal is to create a more robust monitoring network that can help lower national pollutant levels and reduce the high mortality rate associated with poor air quality.