In the heart of Ghana, where the vibrant streets of Accra pulse with life, an invisible enemy is lurking in the air – pollution.

The latest 2023 Annual World Air Quality Report, meticulously assembled by IQAir, has painted a grim picture of Ghana’s air quality, marking it at an all-time worst.

Accra, the bustling capital, stands as Africa’s 10th most polluted city, echoing a growing concern across the continent.

Over the years, Ghana’s air quality has been on a worrying trajectory. In 2022, Ghana held the 27th spot among the world’s most polluted countries.

However, the latest report positions Ghana at the 17th spot, showcasing a stark decline in air quality. The average PM 2.5 readings, a crucial indicator of air pollution, have been steadily rising.

In 2023, the PM 2.5 reading soared to 33.2 µg/m³, marking an all-time high and highlighting the severity of the situation.

City rankings further underscore the severity of the issue across Africa. Accra finds itself among the top ten most polluted cities on the continent, with only 3.8% of African cities meeting the WHO annual PM 2.5 guideline in 2023.

The report sheds light on the broader African context, revealing that only 10 out of 134 countries worldwide managed to achieve the WHO annual PM 2.5 guideline, signalling a pressing need for urgent action.

Air pollution is not just a statistic; it’s a silent killer with profound implications for public health. Exposure to PM 2.5 pollutants, originating from various sources including combustion engines, industrial processes, and wildfires, has been linked to a myriad of health issues ranging from respiratory diseases to cognitive impairment, affecting individuals of all ages.

Air pollution in Ghana results in approximately 28,000 deaths annually, equating to approximately one person dying every 19 minutes.

The repercussions of air pollution extend beyond health concerns, encompassing economic ramifications as well.

A report by the Clean Air Fund warns that without crucial urban development interventions, the economic cost of air pollution in rapidly expanding urban cities like Accra could skyrocket to a staggering $137.8 billion by 2040, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive policy measures.

The 2023 World Air Quality Report serves as a wake-up call, urging governments, organizations, and communities to unite in combating this looming crisis.

Accurate measurement of air pollution, coupled with robust policy frameworks and collaborative efforts, is imperative to safeguarding human health and fostering sustainable development across the continent.

As the sun sets over the bustling streets of Accra, a call to action hangs in the air – a reminder that the fight against air pollution is not merely a battle for statistics, but a collective endeavour to protect the well-being of present and future generations. It’s time to clear the air and pave the way for a healthier, cleaner future for all.

The investigator in the trial of Nana Appiah Mensah alias NAM1, the CEO of defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, has told a High Court in Accra that the accused used celebrities to induce members of the public to invest in his companies which were engaged in illegalities.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Charles Nyarko, their investigations revealed that neither NAM1 nor his companies – Menzgold and Brew Marketing Consult were licensed by the Minerals Commission to sell gold or gold products to the general public, indicating that “the accused persons were involved in illegalities from the start.

He also told the court that neither NAM1 nor his companies were authorised by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to take deposits from the general public.

“The accused persons induced the general public that they were authorised to run those businesses. That was not the only inducement, the accused person used celebrities to induce our complainants to invest with A2 and A3 (Menzgold and Brew Marketing),” the investigator told the court.

He mentioned some of the celebrities as Okyeame Kwame, Stonebwoy, Becca, Jackie Appiah and Joselyn Dumas.

“These celebrities were found on billboards of Menzgold with branded Menzgold chips in the catchment area of the second and third accused. My Lord, with this, with careers that these celebrities built for themselves over the period, our complainants fell into this inducement,” DSP Nyarko added.

NAM1 and two of his companies – Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Ghana Limited are facing 39 counts of defrauding by false pretence, inducing members of the public to invest and money laundering.

Funds Transfer

The investigator told the court that per a letter dated January 10, 2019, the police requested information from the Office of the Registrar of Companies on all companies linked to NAM1 and a total of 27 companies were linked to him.

Led in his evidence-in-chief by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, the witness indicated that investigations revealed that Zylofon Media was established as a company solely in the entertainment business, however, NAM1 transferred substantial funds from Menzgold and Brew Marketing Consult to Zylofon, totaling GH¢84,480,811.00.

On July 20, 2018, an amount of GH¢2 million was transferred to Zylofon Media, while a total of GH¢26,930,997.00 was transferred from the account of Brew Marketing to Zylofon between March and December 2017.

Another GH¢55,549,814.00 was transferred from the Bank of Africa account of Brew Marketing to Zylofon Media between January and April 2018.

DSP Nyarko states that except for the fact that NAM1 owned Menzgold, Brew Marketing Consult and Zylofon Media, “I found that there was no justifiable reason for the huge transfers from A3 (Brew Consult) to Zylofon.”

The investigator also revealed the transfer of huge sums of money totalling GH¢155,552,141.30 from Brew Consult into the personal account of NAM1.

He gave the breakdown as a transfer of GH¢113,400,000.00 which was paid to NAM1 personally between October 18, 2017 and July 13, 2018.

Between April and December 2017, a total of GH¢23,410,000.00 was transferred from the account of Brew Marketing Consult and withdrawn by NAM1.

Again, the investigator revealed that another GH¢18,742,141.30 was transferred from the account of Brew Consult to NAM1 between January and April 2018.

DSP Nyarko also revealed that between July 11 and August 15, 2018, an amount of GH¢66 million through cheque payments was made to Abigail Mensah, who is the younger sister of NAM1.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has expressed admiration for Ghana’s role in leading African countries towards independence.

He made these remarks at an event commemorating Ghana’s 67th Independence Day in Koforidua, Eastern Region.

He lauded Ghana’s efforts in maintaining the honour and pride of its independence and recognized the shared history, friendship, and culture between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

The event, under the theme “Our Democracy Our Pride,” was held at the newly inaugurated 5,000-seater Koforidua Youth Resource Center.

“What a beautiful celebration, bravo to all the Ghanaian people. On this special occasion, congratulations from the people of Cote D’Ivoire who are your brothers and sisters. It’s a great pleasure for me to be here today with you and the great people of Ghana. To experience once more the legendary hospitality of Ghana.

“Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire are bound not only by geography but also by history, friendship and culture. It’s a great joy for me to be sent here by my dear friend Nana [President Akufo-Addo] to celebrate Ghana and the citizens of this beautiful and wonderful country. Whose, since 1957 has shown the way to independence, dignity and pride. Congratulations on the period, it was indeed beautiful and outstanding.”

President Ouattara praised President Akufo-Addo’s leadership since 2016, despite global challenges.

“I would like to use this opportunity to commend you for your leadership and many achievements in Ghana despite the adverse challenges at the global level, with COVID-19, Ukraine-Russia war, obviously Gaza-Palestina,” he said.

He also lauded President Akufo-Addo’s exceptional performance during his term as ECOWAS President.

“I would like to commend you for your commitment towards regional integration shown during your tenure as President of ECOWAS. I must say you did an exceptional, outstanding job. And as the other heads of state know I wanted you to continue for many years.”