The Department of Meteorology and Climate Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi in collaboration with the Clean Air Fund (Ghana) has organised the West African School on Air Quality and Pollution Prevention from 4th to 15th November 2024 at the Amonoo-Neizer Conference Centre. The two-week Summer School themed: Air Quality and Environmental Health: Building Capacity for Change in West Africa’’ sought to raise awareness about air quality and pollution prevention in the Region.

Opening the event, Professor Leonard K. Amekudzi, Team Lead and Provost of the College of Science, emphasised the urgent need to combat air pollution in West Africa, describing it as a “silent killer” that impacts millions of lives globally. Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, he noted that 90% of West Africans breathe polluted air, hence, the West African School on Air Quality and Pollution Prevention, will focus on the specific challenges and opportunities within the region. He added that the Summer School would bring together renowned experts from around the world to provide participants with both knowledge and practical skills. “We aim to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and passion to drive positive change. You will learn from local and international experts and share knowledge on best practices,” Professor Amekudzi remarked.
He further highlighted that poor air quality exacerbates respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and other health conditions across the region. The Summer School, he noted, is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to tackle these pressing issues.

Professor David Asamoah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST and chairperson of the event, commended KNUST’s role as pacesetters in science and technology, advocating for public health and environmental sustainability to support communities and the African continent. He described the gathering as an important step in addressing the air quality concerns facing the continent particularly the after impact of Covid-19 pandemic. ‘‘It is believed that the next pandemic will be caused by air pollution, a silent killer which causes shutdown in a system and is also responsible for millions of premature deaths worldwide each year. It affects not only our health but also our planet’s well-being,’’ he asserted.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor emphasised the need for developing human capacity to tackle air pollution and recommended that African meteorological agencies implement an air quality index as part of their forecasting services.
Professor Asamoah expressed hope that the West African School on Air Quality and Pollution Prevention would evolve into a continent-wide initiative, bringing African nations together to achieve air quality standards on par with those of developed nations. He encouraged participants to advocate for policy intervention, stricter regulations, investment in clean energy infrastructure, and support for research and development. “This school will serve as a benchmark for policy support, and participants must contribute beyond advocacy towards enforcing regulations and supporting clean energy advancements,” he added.

The Country Lead for the Clean Air Fund, Mr. Desmond Appiah in his remarks, advocated for the need to ensure that everyone breathes clean air. He believes that the solution to air pollution is both science and socials and called on all participants to endeavour they become ambassadors for clean air solutions. ‘This 2-week Summer School should train and develop all the Eighty (80) participants from across the Africa with the requisite skills and knowledge to become champions and advocates of clean air in their communities,’’ he encouraged.
Mr. Appiah disclosed that the next pandemic could stem from air pollution if governments and authorities fail to implement stringent measures. He bemoaned political parties in Ghana who do not include comprehensive strategies to combat air pollution in their manifestos. He urged for a critical review of these documents to address this pressing issue. “We have gone through the manifestos of all the major political parties in Ghana since 1992. Nobody has talked about air pollution. We want to ensure that five years from now, the death toll from air pollution will significantly reduce,’’ he said.
The two-week Summer School exposed participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Senegal, and more, on topics including; Sources of air pollution: Industrial processes, transportation, agriculture, and waste management; Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: Understanding the complex interactions between pollutants, climate, and weather patterns; Energy and health issues: Exploring the nexus between energy production, consumption, and human health; Air Quality Index (AQI) implementation in Meteorology: Leveraging technology and data to monitor and predict air quality; Policy implementation: Examining effective regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and community engagement strategies.