Episode Details

Ghana’s decision to legalise commercial motorcycles, widely known as Okada, has been hailed as a major shift in transport policy, promising jobs, convenience and faster movement through congested cities. But beyond the economic benefits lies another reality: thousands of riders now spend long hours breathing in dangerous levels of traffic pollution every single day.

In this episode, Michael Asharley speaks with journalist Caleb Ahinakwah, whose reporting follows riders and traders navigating Accra’s traffic-choked streets. Through the story of riders like “Atentenben,” the programme explores how persistent exposure to exhaust fumes has become normalised, even as experts warn of serious long-term risks to the lungs, heart and overall health.

The episode also examines the broader implications of Ghana’s new transport law, from the dominance of highly polluting motorcycle engines to the limited public awareness around air pollution exposure. As the country embraces Okada as part of its transport future, the programme asks a pressing question: can Ghana expand mobility without deepening a growing public health crisis?

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.