The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has called for greater use of scientific evidence in addressing environmental health challenges in the metropolis to protect communities from preventable diseases and other health risks.
The Assembly said evidence-based approaches were critical to tackling environmental health threats, including poor sanitation, unsafe food handling, waste pollution, flooding, air pollution and rising heat risks.
The call formed part of activities to mark the 2026 World Environmental Health Day, which falls today, September 26, under the theme: “Environmental Health: Standing with Science to Protect Communities.”
The theme seeks to promote the use of scientific evidence to inform policy, enforcement and practical interventions aimed at protecting public health.
In a press statement issued ahead of the commemoration, the assembly said environmental health risks remained a significant concern in Accra, where rapid urbanisation, population growth and human activities continued to place pressure on sanitation and other public health systems.
It said the risks included poor sanitation, unsafe food handling, indiscriminate disposal of waste, flooding, air pollution and extreme heat.
The assembly cited a historical global estimate by the World Bank which associated pollution of air, land and water with approximately nine million premature deaths worldwide, representing about 16 per cent of deaths in the year assessed.
It stressed, however, that the figure was a historical global estimate and not a current Ghana-specific statistic.
The AMA also cited reports indicating that environmental health challenges were contributing to premature deaths in Ghana.
According to Breathe Cities reports cited by the assembly, air pollution was associated with about 33,000 premature deaths annually in Ghana, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) has attributed more than 9,000 premature deaths to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.
The assembly also noted concerns over rising cases of heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, in recent times.
Public health interventions. The AMA said its Metro Public Health Department had undertaken a number of interventions aimed at improving environmental health and sanitation in the metropolis.
It said 29,408 out of 62,386 premises had so far been reached through education, enforcement and sensitisation activities, representing approximately 47 per cent coverage with 29 staff. The department also reported that 9,195 food handlers had been registered and screened, with 8,822, representing 96 per cent, passing the screening and receiving certificates.
The remaining 373 food handlers, representing four per cent, were referred to health facilities for treatment. In addition, the department educated 6,143 food premises on food safety and other public health practices. The assembly said sensitisation exercises had also been carried out in nine markets, while 238 out of 240 schools visited had been educated on environmental health issues, representing approximately 99 per cent coverage.
An assessment of the schools showed that 78 per cent had accredited waste collection services, 86 per cent had dustbins and 69 per cent had standard sanitary facilities. The AMA said its enforcement activities had also resulted in 262 sanitation offenders being prosecuted.
It added that 13 air-quality sensors had been installed across the metropolis to support the monitoring and management of air quality.
The department also engaged 15 environmental health professionals, partner institutions and community representatives as part of efforts to strengthen environmental health interventions.
Community action
The Director of the Metro Public Health Department, Florence Kuukyi, said environmental health required a strong connection between scientific evidence, local decision-making and the everyday practices of residents.
She urged residents, traders, food handlers, institutions and community leaders to take responsibility for protecting their surroundings and reducing environmental health risks. She called on residents to keep their surroundings clean, dispose of waste responsibly, observe safe food-handling practices and maintain proper hand hygiene.
She also urged the public to avoid open burning of waste and follow public health guidance during periods of flooding and extreme heat.
