Ghana has launched a real-time monitoring system to track industrial emissions and discharges nationwide.
The initiative, dubbed the Ghana Online Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (GOCEMS), marks a decisive departure from the former self-reporting regime, enabling swift detection of environmental threats and immediate alerts to industries on non-compliant parameters.
In a speech delivered on his behalf, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, said rapid industrialisation had intensified air pollution, contributing to severe health conditions and premature deaths.
He noted that prolonged exposure to polluted air and excessive noise could cause stress, reduced workplace productivity, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental issues, particularly among children.
To address these threats, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has partnered with ECHT Environmental Services Ltd to deploy GOCEMS, which will track pollutants in effluent, air emissions, and ambient noise from industrial sources.
Dr Muhammed described environmental quality monitoring as vital for public health management and urban planning.
He emphasised that traditional monitoring methods, while useful, are reactive and do not provide timely data to prevent pollution incidents.
“It has become necessary to adopt innovative approaches to enhance environmental monitoring in response to the challenges posed by industrial pollution and climate change,” he stated.
Professor Nana Ama Klutse, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, noted that pollution costs Ghana nearly USD 2.49 billion annually, underscoring the urgency of tackling the issue.
“Air, water, and chemical pollution have direct public health consequences—ranging from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases to neurological impacts.
“This is why pollution has been identified as one of the three planetary crises, alongside climate change and biodiversity loss,” she said.
Prof Klutse acknowledged that while industrial processes inherently produced emissions, the level of pollution could be significantly reduced through the adoption of best-practice technologies and responsible waste management.
“As much as the production of goods and services is essential for economic growth, equally important is the proper management of the resulting emissions and discharges,” she stressed.
She noted that continuous monitoring was the only effective way to evaluate the performance of pollution control measures and ensure timely interventions.
The GOCEMS platform uses advanced technology to gather data at regular intervals, offering a comprehensive overview of pollution trends and fluctuations.
This data is transmitted to a central control room at the EPA, enabling rapid detection of short-term pollution spikes that conventional systems may miss.
Beyond enforcement, GOCEMS will bolster early warning systems that notify authorities and the public of deteriorating environmental conditions, prompting preventive action.
Source: myghanadaily
