Following an increase in dry and dusty atmospheric conditions in the country, the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) has advised people who are allergic to dust to wear nose masks.
The GMA explained in a harmattan advisory statement issued yesterday, that meteorological satellites detected dust lifted around Chad, Sudan, and Niger on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. It went on to say that the dust was carried into Ghana by strong winds at lower levels of the atmosphere.
It will be recalled on 24th November, 2022, the Ghana Meteorological Agency issued the first Harmattan Season Advisory for Ghana. The advisory, among other things, forecast dry weather conditions, cloudless skies, hot days and the dominance of minute dust particles suspension in the atmosphere. The GMA said the intensification of the dry and dusty conditions has resulted in dryness and decreased visibility, which may take some time to clear completely.
The Agency also advised the public to stay hydrated, take fire safety precautions, cover foods and water to prevent dust from settling on them, and thoroughly wash fruits before eating them. These conditions are expected to last for a few days at varying intensities. However, it is expected that there will be a reduction in intensity during the week.
The harmattan can be felt in Ghana from November to March, when it replaces the dominant south-westerly maritime Monsoon wind, but it looks like now the climate has changed and we can now experience harmattan at any time of the year.
Human activities such as vehicle emissions, fuel oils and natural gas to heat homes, by-products of manufacturing and power generation, particularly coal-fueled power plants, and fumes from chemical production also contribute to air pollution in the country and go a long way to exacerbate the torrid conditions of the harmattan. These human activities will only worsen the dry harmattan condition in the country, with the accompanying dangerous effects.
We also have these recalcitrant citizens who burn car tires in the middle of the road. This has been going on in the country for some time now. What has the Environment Protection Agency done to control this?
The Chronicle is indeed happy with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) mission statement that: ‘it is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in Ghana.
It’s our job to make sure that air, land and water are looked after by everyone in today’s society, so that tomorrow’s generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world’.
However, and rather sadly, the EPA has not lived up to expectation in this regard. Their efforts at managing, protecting and enhancing the country’s environment and to seek common solutions to global environmental problems leaves very little to be desired.
Due to the highly damaging effects of pollution exposure on vulnerable members of society, such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with heightened sensitivity towards pollution, as well as those with pre-existing illnesses or compromised immune system, The Chronicle advices Ghanaians to wear face mask outdoors, use air purifier, close windows to avoid dirty outdoor air and avoid outdoor exercise.
