The Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana, Vibeke Sandholm Pedersen says a major source of air pollution in the country is the mishandling of waste.

According to her, the burning of waste, especially plastic materials, in the country’s major cities is contributing to high levels of air pollution and affecting climate change in several ways.

“In some of Ghana’s biggest cities, a major source of air pollution is the open burning of waste. This is an illegal and extremely dangerous practice, especially because of all the plastic often involved in the burning,” she said.

“This has a severe negative impact on public health, contributes to climate change, and causes severe air pollution,” she added.

The Ambassador noted that this situation is a common practice among Ghanaians, as she experiences it even in her neighbourhood, and she observed that it is difficult to put a stop to such practices.

“I experience these illegal and harmful practices even in the suburb where I live in Accra. I have found that it is very difficult to stop these practices,” she stressed.

She was speaking at JoyNews’ National Dialogue on Clean Air and Election 2024, held on Tuesday, November 26, in Accra.

She therefore suggested ways to combat air pollution in the country, recommending how Denmark tackles the issue.

Ms Vibeke Sandholm also suggested that the country needs to focus on public awareness to combat the menace and make the environment healthier for its citizens.

“In Denmark, we have seen the power of communities coming together, whether by sorting waste, embracing clean technologies, or planting green spaces. Ghana’s vibrant communities are well-placed to drive similar change, but we need to raise awareness first,” she advised.

She added that the nation should not view clean air as a burden but see it as an opportunity to develop the country in diverse areas.

“Let us not see the transition to clean air as a burden, but let’s try to see it as an opportunity—an opportunity for Ghana to lead in green innovation, create jobs in emerging industries, and build healthier and more resilient communities,” she said.

The dialogue by Joy News aims to bring together stakeholders, including various political parties, to discuss how to improve the environment for habitation, focusing on climate change issues and how to combat its negative impact on lives.