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African scientists begin course on air
pollution
Accra, Oct. 22, Ghanadot/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.
GNA
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