News
Let’s address air pollution, it’s a threat to public health
It is with great concern that I write this letter to bring to your notice a problem we seem to have overlooked as a country.
Recently, I was walking home by the roadside after visiting a friend at Kaneshie when a commercial vehicle passed by with heavy smoke emanating from its exhaust pipe.
The smoke was so thick and made it difficult to breathe for a few minutes. This drew the attention of people around as some complained and held their nostrils. Some even started raining insults on the driver.
After the car passed, I stood for 30 minutes thinking about the effect of breathing in such gaseous material from 10 different cars that emit same in just a day.
After pondering over it, I said to myself that this is a situation and I and all others must be protected against.
As humans, the air we breathe plays a vital role in our existence. Imagine the outcome of finding yourself in a place where there is no or limited air to breathe. The outcome will definitely not be a pleasant one. This tells us how air is very important for our survival.
However, the quality of air we breathe is very important, as polluted air is a threat to our health.
Unfortunately, in Ghana, it is sad to say that most of the air we breathe is polluted with smoke from vehicles, factories, charcoal burning and others.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 28,000 Ghanaians die prematurely every year as a result of air pollution. Such a statistic should be a major cause for concern.
It is the reason Ghana must intensify its effort in addressing the issue.
I think it’s about time the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and other regulatory bodies and agencies began to ensure that those who pollute the air are dealt with severely.
If we fail to implement some of these measures as a country, then I won’t be surprised if numbers of Ghanaians who die prematurely as a result of air pollution as provided by the WHO doubles in a few years to come.
It’s time to ensure that Ghanaians get quality air to breathe to save lives.
Abdul Wadud,
Osu
The Tema Regional Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old driver, Bismark Kpormeno, for possession of a large quantity of compressed plant materials suspected to be Indian hemp.
The arrest was made on Sunday, 31 May 2026 by officers of the Tema Highway Patrol Unit during an operation along the Tema-Ada road.
According to police, the suspect was driving a Hyundai Mighty I container truck and failed to stop when signaled. He attempted to evade arrest but was pursued and apprehended at Bondase.
A search of the vehicle revealed twelve 12 sacks and eighty 80 parcels of compressed plant materials concealed in a container and wrapped in sellotape.
Preliminary investigations show the narcotics were allegedly loaded at Kpeve in the Volta Region and were being transported to Ada.
The suspect is currently in police custody assisting with investigations. The truck and exhibits have been impounded for evidential purposes.
The Tema Regional Police Command says it remains committed to combating drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
They also urged the public to support law enforcement by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities.
Firefighters from the Peki Fire Station of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) responded swiftly to a fatal head-on collision involving a Mercedes-Benz container truck (WR 1553-C) travelling from Nkwanta to Accra and a Mercedes-Benz passenger bus (GR 3215-E) travelling from Battor to Kabiti in the Oti Region.
The crash occurred at Peki-Tsame near Peki Senior High School in the early hours of Tuesday, 2nd June 2026.
A total of forty (40) persons were involved, comprising twenty-one (21) males, fifteen (15) females, and four (4) children.
Through a coordinated rescue operation, firefighters extricated 25 injured casualties, including 23 adults and two children.
Sadly, 15 persons lost their lives, made up of nine males and 6 females.
The injured were conveyed to the Peki Government Hospital for treatment, while the deceased were handed over to the Police, who conveyed them to the hospital mortuary for preservation and further investigation. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The Ghana National Fire Service has extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and urges all motorists to observe road traffic regulations, avoid dangerous driving practices, and exercise maximum caution on the roads to help prevent accidents and save lives.
Entertainment1 week agoBig Ghun and Doreen Avio record massive turnout as Scarlett Unveiled auditions draw over 300 actors
- News5 days ago
University of Ghana launches UGA Network App to reconnect global alumni community
- News5 days ago
UG professor calls for responsible behavior from Ghanaians during the rainy season to prevent malaria
