Enemy in the Air We Breathe

Air pollution does not affect everyone the same way. In this episode of Clean Air Report Ghana, host Michael Asharleyexamines why children and older adults bear the heaviest health burden when the air becomes unsafe.Drawing on frontline medical experience and child health expertise, Michael speaks with Carl Osei of the Ghana Health Service and Emmanuel Kyeremateng-Amoah of UNICEF Ghana. Together, they explain how polluted air contributes to asthma, pneumonia, heart strain, and long-term developmental harm — particularly during pregnancy, early childhood, and old age.The conversation connects what hospitals are seeing during periods of heavy traffic and burning with the everyday exposure families face while walking to school, waiting for transport, or sitting in traffic. It also looks at practical steps households can take to reduce risk, alongside the policy gaps that continue to leave vulnerable groups unprotected. Clean Air Report Ghana is a collaboration between New Narratives and leading Ghanaian newsrooms. Funding is provided by the Clean Air Fund which had no say in the reporting.