Entreprising Solutions For Cleaner Air in Ghana & Beyond
I have always been solution driven, especially since I returned to Ghana in 2011. Oftentimes, we discuss the problems and challenges that we face, complaining, a lot. I decided many years ago that I want to be part of conversations that start from: “This is how we are going to solve this problem”. I stopped mostly listening to Ghanaian radio because it is full of complaints, bad news and not enough “What are we doing about this problem?” I want to see what I call Solution Radio. Some journalists like Bernard Avle have been driving more of that. One of the problems is air pollution. We at GhanaThink and others funded by Clean Air Fund are doing something about this.
Beyond the numbers of people advocating for air quality in Ghana, we would like to see more people share knowledge around solutions pertaining to air pollution, demonstrating that with the right guidance and coordination, Ghanaian youth can contribute to positive change in ensuring clean air and healthy environments in the country. We have had many discussions centered on identifying solutions and potential actions participants could take based on their local context. I wrote a piece that has been featured on the Clean Air Fund website. Here are a few more people working on solutions, all over Ghana.
Caleb Lomo is based in Asokore Kuma in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He has mentored youth at Barcamp Koforidua, focusing on the topics of Enterprise Development & Food Systems. He leads GreenHeart SE, alongside Priscilla Gilberts, who has also been volunteering with GhanaThink’s Koforidua team. They have been supported through the Kosmos Innovation Center as well as the GB Foods’ social impact arm, GBHub Africa, which has invested $50,000, structured as a local currency loan with a 5% interest rate in Ghanaian cedis, including a six-month moratorium and a 60-month repayment period. Their interest in air quality stems from their commitment to environmental health and climate justice. Poor air quality disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, including those they serve. They support policies and innovations that promote clean air as a pathway to public health, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.
When we started working on the Clean Air Ghana project, I thought of startups like GreenHeart SE. GreenHeart SE is building a climate-smart solution that transforms agricultural and forestry waste into valuable products such as biochar-based soil amendments. By diverting waste from open burning and landfills, they reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while restoring soil health. Their products provide sustainable alternatives that help mitigate deforestation and improve soil fertility. Through partnerships with communities, they also promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental education. This integrated approach enhances climate resilience, promotes circular economy principles, and supports sustainable agriculture in Ghana and beyond.
Kenneth Marshall is based in Tamale in the Northern region of Ghana. He is passionate about developing innovative, science-driven solutions to reduce air pollution, such as promoting cleaner energy sources and sustainable waste management practices. He studied at the University of Development Studies (Nyankpala) and his background in biotechnology and microbiology equipped him with the skills to research and implement strategies that improve air quality, benefiting both urban and rural communities.
Through the Kosmos Innovation Center’s AgriTech Challenge, he and his co-founders started Sagrisalma. Their solution contributes to cleaner air by reducing harmful emissions associated with waste decomposition and improper waste disposal. The use of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in the waste digestion process minimizes the release of ammonia and other noxious gases, which are major contributors to air pollution. By composting municipal, human, and crop waste into organic fertilizer, Sagrisalma prevents the open burning of waste, a common practice that emits particulate matter and greenhouse gases. This innovative approach not only transforms waste into a valuable agricultural resource but also helps improve air quality, promoting healthier communities and a cleaner environment.
Reginald Yaw Ansu-Koranteng lives in Techiman (Bono East Region) but studies at the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa in the Western Region. As a Renewable Energy Engineering student passionate about sustainable development, he is deeply committed to advancing clean energy solutions that improve air quality. Through the GhanaThink Foundation, Reginald has been connected to Alfred Adjabeng and the team at Bridge Carbon which is actively investing in clean cooking projects as well as nature-based solutions across the region.
He and his team have been developing a geospatial clean cooking access model for Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality using OnStove. This solution identifies optimal locations for clean cooking interventions by integrating geospatial data on population density, energy access, fuel availability, and socio-economic factors. The model evaluates the costs, benefits, and emissions of transitioning households from traditional cooking fuels like wood and charcoal to cleaner alternatives such as LPG, electric stoves, or biogas. By providing actionable insights, this tool enables stakeholders to target investments and policies effectively, accelerating the adoption of clean cooking technologies. Their goal is to reduce air pollution, improve public health, and enhance gender equity while addressing Ghana’s clean energy transition objectives. This project highlights the potential of data-driven solutions in advancing clean air and sustainable development in underserved communities.
Inspired by the work we were doing with #CleanAirGhana, Frank Landon Bentum blogged about
“Leveraging Open Source Hardware Solutions for Clean & Quality Air in Ghana”. He wrote about some key advantages of using open source hardware solutions for addressing air quality issues in Ghana. He also stated some open source hardware solutions for clean air. There are some other solutions bubbling under in Ghana that at the right time would be publicized. I am looking forward to seeing more solutions built by Ghanaians towards preventing air pollution, fighting air pollution, driving for air quality, air quality advocacy, and for #CleanAirForAll in Ghana and beyond.
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