Burning Waste Unlawful: Toxic Air Causes Illness and Death, Ghana Health Director Warns
In a recent warning, Florence S. Kuukyi, the Director of Metro Public Health Department at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), emphasized that burning any waste material, no matter if it’s plastic waste, dried leaves, papers, tyres, clothing, or used sanitary towels, is unlawful. This is due to the fact that burning waste is a significant source of pollution, leading to toxic air that harms not only those engaged in the act of burning but also the entire community and beyond.
Madam Kuukyi explained that the emissions released into the air as a result of burning waste can cause severe health issues such as lung and heart disease, cancer, infertility, low birth weight, premature birth, cognitive development problems, and even premature death. She pointed out that many individuals have already lost their lives due to respiratory diseases caused by inhaling poor air quality.
Not only national laws but also the AMA’s Byelaw 2017 prohibit people from openly burning waste materials. According to Madam Kuukyi, individuals found engaging in open burning can face penalties of not less than 100 penalty units (GH₵1,000/US$100) and up to 150 penalty units, or even imprisonment for a period of three to six months, or both.
Despite limited resources, the AMA has taken steps to combat this issue. From January to July, 16 individuals were prosecuted in the sanitation court in Accra for burning waste materials in unauthorized areas, including their homes. Madam Kuukyi emphasized that they will become stricter with those who engage in open burning and that people must stop this indiscriminate practice, as air pollution knows no boundaries.
To address this problem, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly has initiated a project called Breathe Accra under the Clean Air Fund. As part of this project, air quality sensors have been placed in various areas to collect data that will inform policy decisions and necessary actions. Recent data from the sensors revealed that areas like Korlebu and Chorkor exceeded air quality standards, while Mamprobi, Kanashie, and other areas were in the moderate zone.
Ideally, air quality should be between 0 and 50 on the Air Quality Index (AQI). An AQI between 51 and 100 is considered moderate, although it may pose health concerns for sensitive individuals, particularly children under five. However, Korlebu showed a reading of 105 on the sensor, indicating poor air quality, which is especially concerning as many people seek healthcare in that area and require clean, unpolluted air.
A recent report by D. Mebratu and A. Mbandi in 2022 has revealed that the unchecked open burning of waste in Africa is contributing to illness, premature death, and climate change. To address this issue, the report suggests phasing out open burning of waste from a systems perspective, which requires addressing the structural deficiencies in waste management practices. Furthermore, promoting a circular economy that focuses on reuse, recycling, and recovery can strengthen local manufacturing, create jobs, reduce unemployment, support inclusive and sustainable economies, and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
In conclusion, burning waste is both unlawful and detrimental to the environment and public health. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly is actively taking measures to combat this issue, including enforcing penalties and implementing projects to monitor air quality. It is essential for individuals to understand the serious consequences of burning waste and to adopt sustainable waste management practices to protect their communities and the environment.
