The Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services (ACE4ES) project, spearheaded by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), made a significant impact on September 7, 2024, during a community outreach event held at Adventist Girls Senior High School.
In observance of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, the event engaged over 2000 students in a drive to raise awareness about air pollution and advocate for clean air solutions in Ghana.
The outreach emphasized the need for urgent investment in air quality solutions to improve public health and combat climate change.
Over 500 students committed to becoming Clean Air Ambassadors, pledging to advocate for cleaner air practices in their homes and communities. Through peer-sensitization sessions, knowledge-sharing cafés, and brainstorming discussions, the students explored the root causes of air pollution and developed actionable solutions to tackle the issue locally.
Students identified key challenges, including black carbon emissions from inefficient biomass cookstoves, the harmful practice of burning household waste, inefficient combustion engines in vehicles, and weak enforcement of local pollution laws. They emphasized the need for cleaner cooking technologies, recycling measures, stricter pollution control enforcement, and increased investment in air quality monitoring and sustainable energy technologies.
Dr. Kwaku Onwona-Hwesofour, ACE4ES Project Lead, underscored the urgency of addressing air pollution through investment in clean air technologies, stating, “Air pollution not only affects our health but also fuels climate change. Governments, businesses, and international bodies must lead by investing in clean air solutions to ensure a healthier future for all.”
The students’ enthusiasm reflects the event’s broader message of tackling air pollution, requires collective action and significant investment from both public and private sectors. The ACE4ES project will continue its advocacy, pushing for policies and investments that safeguard public health and contribute to climate resilience.
The event stands as a testament to the power of youth-led advocacy, as over 2000 students rise to the challenge of improving air quality for future generations.
