Ghana marks first World Lung Day
Health experts call for urgent action as Ghana marks its first World Lung Day, with warnings on the deadly impact of air pollution and tobacco use
Ghana celebrated its inaugural World Lung Day on Saturday (14 September) with a symbolic walk from Ayi Mensah to Peduase in the Aburi mountains, raising awareness about the critical impact of air pollution, tobacco use, and climate change on public health.
The event, themed “Clean Air and Healthy Lungs for All,” was organised by several nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) committed to improving lung health.
Among the speakers was Dr. Seyram Wordui, a paediatric pulmonologist at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and CEO of BabyChildAndCo, who emphasised the devastating effects of air pollution and smoking.
“When we breathe polluted air, it affects everyone—from babies in the womb to adults. Tobacco smoke alone kills about eight million people annually, with secondhand smoke being just as dangerous,” Dr. Wordui warned.
She highlighted Ghana’s challenges in addressing lung health, particularly the underreporting of respiratory diseases due to limited diagnostic capacity.
“We have a significant problem with underreporting, linked to our diagnostic capabilities. Many diseases associated with poverty and low socioeconomic status are not reported accurately due to these limitations.”
Dr. Wordui also raised concerns about the growing popularity of vaping and shisha in Ghana, stating that these products can be more harmful than traditional tobacco and calling for legislation to tackle misconceptions that vaping and shisha are safer alternatives to tobacco.
“Vaping and shisha are marketed as safer alternatives, but they are often more harmful than tobacco. We need robust legislation and public education to counter these misconceptions.”
In her closing remarks, Dr. Wordui called for collaborative efforts to tackle air pollution and promote lung health. “Our environment is our only home. We must work together—local authorities, communities, and governments—to create cleaner air and a healthier future for all.”
As part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness, she announced lung function testing sessions in Agbogbloshie on 20 and 25 September, inviting the media and the public to participate. “We are using these tests to demonstrate the ill effects of air pollution. We invite the media and the community to participate.”
Reporting by Elizabeth Yeboah Akyemaa
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