African scientists begin course on air pollution

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA - Twenty-two scientists from 16 African countries convened in Accra on Monday to begin a five-day regional training course on Air Pollution Studies aimed at enhancing data control, validation and evaluation of pollutants in the atmosphere. The course, being sponsored by the African Regional Agency (AFRA) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would ensure improved air quality across the African region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Edward H.K. Akaho, Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), said such training had become necessary to improve scientists' knowledge on pollutants, especially aerosol (particles of liquid and solid dispersed gas suspension) which had become a major threat to the atmosphere. He said in most African countries, except South Africa, Egypt and Tunisia, there was no routine monitoring of aerosol data, hence the AFRA project on Urban Air Pollution Monitoring adopted by member states to address the problem.

Prof. Akaho noted that understanding of how aerosol particles behaved under different climate conditions was necessary to ensure compliance with international conventions and standards and serve as an informed basis for setting appropriate standards.

Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, implored scientists to popularise science to erase the notion that the discipline was for intellectuals. She said they should be mindful that their work affected quality of life and should therefore strive at accuracy and credibility to make the world better for all.

Ms Ohene stated that Africa should be mindful of industrialisation effects on the environment, as it embarked on its industrialisation agenda and called on IAEA to increase assistance to member states to enable them to improve their air pollution monitoring. "I also wish to make a special appeal to corporate bodies and institutions within African states to fund research in environmental issues, especially air pollution. Their profits depend on clean air for human survival," she added.

The participating countries are Ghana, Niger, Sudan, Morocco, Mauritius, Madagascar, Tanzania, Zambia and Egypt. The rest are Algeria, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Cameroon and Kenya.