CleanAIRE NC to Partner with Ghana Environmental Protection Agency on “CleanAIRE For All” Initiative

Charlotte, N.C. — CleanAIRE NC staff members will travel to Ghana this month as part of the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Exchange Program, a U.S. Department of State and IREX initiative. In partnership with the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local stakeholders, they will lead “CleanAIRE For All,” a project designed to build capacity and advance cross-continental collaboration on environmental health.

The project will include a range of air quality-focused activities aimed at supporting communities and public health officials. Key activities include the deployment of new low-cost air quality monitors in Techiman, in collaboration with the Bono East Regional EPA and local community members. CleanAIRE NC staff Daisha Wall and Madison Fragnito will be in Ghana from September 8 through September 21.

“We are incredibly honored to participate in this exchange and bring our expertise in community-led air quality monitoring to our partners in Ghana,” said Daisha Wall, CleanAIRE NC’s Director of Programs & Impact. “This project is a powerful example of how environmental health challenges connect us globally. We believe that sharing knowledge is key to building a healthier future for all.”

In addition to the monitor deployments, the CleanAIRE NC team will conduct a comprehensive training program. This will include training for 15 Ghana EPA staff on sensor maintenance, data analysis, visualization, and communication strategies. The program also includes health-focused training for 40 healthcare professionals in the Bono East Region, led by Dr. Joel Duah Afi and other local providers, on the health impacts of air pollution and climate change.

The trip will also feature a school-based environmental education day with students in Techiman, promoting air quality awareness through a series of interactive activities designed to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.

“This collaboration is a true reciprocal exchange,” said Madison Fragnito, Development Director for CleanAIRE NC. “While we are sharing our knowledge of air quality monitoring, we also know we have so much to learn from our Ghanaian partners about their innovative approaches to community engagement and environmental education. We look forward to two weeks of meaningful collaboration and shared learning.”

“The “CleanAIRE for All” project offers a practical and scalable approach to improving air quality and public awareness in Ghana,” said Huda Ibrahim, Assistant Programme Officer for the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency. “It also provides a strategic avenue to strengthen the Ghana Environmental Protection Authority’s leadership in sub-national air quality monitoring. We remain grateful to the US Government, the US Department of State, IREX and CleanAIRE NC for the partnership and support in making this project a reality.”

The “CleanAIRE For All” initiative is a testament to the global nature of the fight for clean air. It underscores the shared mission of CleanAIRE NC and the Ghana EPA to protect public health and work with communities through a collaborative approach. The lessons learned and capacity built through this exchange will continue to inform and inspire future projects dedicated building a healthier, more resilient world.

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CleanAIRE NC is a statewide nonprofit organization advocating for the health of all North Carolinians by pursuing equitable and collaborative solutions that address climate change and air pollution. www.cleanAIREnc.org

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.

The views and information presented herein are those of the U.S. Participants and Fellowship Alumni Collaborators in the Reciprocal Exchange and do not represent the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the U.S. Department of State, or IREX.