Accra - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Very poor air quality during Harmattan season (Dec - Feb), AQI upwards of 180. Otherwise generally muggy, polluted and unpleasant. Lots of burning garbage. - Aug 2024
There are two rainy seasons, hot and humid otherwise. Harmattan can be the real deal and air quality can get dangerously pour. Harmattan can start around December and go through February. This is a dry, dusty season when the sands from the Sahara blow in. The sky is hazy, almost pink, and a layer of dust covers everything. - Sep 2023
The air is generally pretty good. The main annoyance is the seasonal "harmattan" from November to March. The air gets very thick/hazy with dust blown south from the Sahara. - Nov 2022
It's worse than LA but not terrible. If you are sensitive to air pollution, it may bother you. But it's not nearly as bad as India or China. - Sep 2022
Fine most of the year but AQI can get as high as 250 during Harmattan (Dec-Feb). - Mar 2022
The smell of burning trash can be unpleasant sometimes, and December/January is harmattan season, which can bring lots of haze and blowing dust. In general, though, it hasn't been a problem. - May 2019
I'd say it's largely fine, except for during Harmattan in December/January when the air is VERY hazy with sand. Lots of folks end up with stuffy heads/dry throats at the beginning of Harmattan before adjusting. I would imagine those with asthma would find that time of year difficult. - Apr 2018
The Ghanaians often burn trash and the air can smell like manure depending on the way the wind is blowing. If you have strong allergies, think twice before coming here. - Aug 2017
Dood when no one is burning trash, which is rare. December-January is dusty season and the Sahara sands blow in and cover everything. - Apr 2017
It is good though the seasonal Harmattan (December- March) can exacerbate breathing problems. That being said, I am asthmatic and found it manageable. - Aug 2016
They constantly burn trash here and the smell of urine is everywhere. Harmattan season is especially bad. Expect to have respiratory issues. If you have asthma, bring several inhalers with you. - May 2014
Burning trash is a constant, the smell of the open sewers can be stunning. The cars have no emissions controls and getting behind the wrong taxi or tro-tro can cause serious lung damage. The best air is at the beach or in the hills, far from Accra. Do not come here if you have respiratory ailments. - Apr 2012
moderate - they burn trash quite often - Aug 2011
Good except for during Harmatan when it is unhealthy. - Jun 2011
If you have asthma, you will have problems here on a regular basis - especially during the Hamattan season. Sometimes it is hard to tell if your neighbor is burning tires or smoking weed, honestly. Burning trash is common, although it is not as bad in Accra in the Cantonments area and Labone where a lot of expats live as it is in local areas. - Feb 2010
OK except during dusty season. - Feb 2010
