Is the air quality good in Accra?
On July 10, 2026, at 11:45 AM (local time), air quality in Accra, Ghana, is poor with an AQI of 137, which falls within the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range.
These air quality conditions may increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms for children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with heart or lung disease.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Accra is ranked the 2nd most polluted major city in the world on Friday morning.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Accra.
While the air quality conditions today are poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Accra was 21 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 69, which falls into the “moderate” category and was 4.2 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Accra, Ghana ranked as the 2nd most polluted major city on July 10, 2026, 11:45 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Accra?
Air quality is expected to improve to the moderate range later in the day as weather conditions become more favorable for pollutant dispersion.
Hourly air quality forecast for Accra, Ghana on July 10, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Seasonal weather also influences air quality. Conditions generally improve during the rainy season, while Harmattan dust from November through March can significantly increase PM2.5 concentrations (1).
Over the long term, Ghana is working to improve air quality through stricter vehicle emission standards, cleaner transportation, better waste management, expanded air quality monitoring, and greater public awareness (2).
Air quality map of Accra, Ghana on July 10, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Accra?
Poor air quality in Accra is driven by a combination of human activities and natural factors, including:
- Road transportation: Vehicle emissions are the largest source of PM2.5 in Accra, contributing an estimated 25% to 45% of ambient fine particle pollution. Older diesel vehicles, traffic congestion, and resuspended road dust all contribute significantly.
- Household energy use: Burning charcoal and firewood for cooking remains a major pollution source. Household emissions contribute substantially to both indoor and outdoor air pollution, particularly in densely populated neighborhoods.
- Industrial activities: Manufacturing facilities, power generation, and small industries release particulate matter and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Industrial emissions add to the city's overall pollution burden (3).
- Open waste burning: Burning municipal waste, plastics, and e-waste releases harmful pollutants, including black carbon and toxic compounds, while poor waste management further worsens air quality.
- Road dust and construction: Dust from unpaved roads, construction sites, and heavy traffic contributes to elevated PM2.5 levels, especially during dry weather.
- Seasonal Harmattan dust: Between approximately November and March, Harmattan winds transport dust from the Sahara Desert across West Africa, causing PM2.5 concentrations to rise even further.
These combined pollution sources increase the risk of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer, and premature death, particularly among children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing heart or lung conditions (4).
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
