Ghana: environment

What are Ghana's carbon dioxide emissions per person?

Ghana emitted 0.70 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to the World Bank. The figure was 0.69 tonnes in 2023 and 0.72 tonnes in 2022.

CO2 from fuel burning and industry is only part of Ghana's greenhouse gas output, which also includes methane and emissions from land use and forest loss. Ghana's national greenhouse gas inventory is compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency for its reports under the UN climate convention.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Ghana · Environmental Protection Agency

How bad is air pollution in Ghana?

Ghanaians were exposed to an average of 28.1 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. The figure was 30.1 in 2022 and 29.3 in 2021. Inside homes, 54.3% of households still cook mainly with wood or charcoal, the 2021 Population and Housing Census found, a major source of indoor smoke.

The PM2.5 figure is a population-weighted national average, so levels near busy roads in Accra and Kumasi, and in homes that burn wood or charcoal, can be higher. Air quality standards are set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure, Ghana · Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 PHC Volume 3 highlights

Where does Ghana get its electricity from?

Thermal power stations are projected to supply 75.75% of Ghana's electricity in the fourth quarter of 2026 and hydro 24.25%, according to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) tariff decision of 24 September 2026. In the third quarter the projected split was 79.10% thermal and 20.90% hydro. PURC priced natural gas for power at US$7.8379 per MMBtu for the quarter.

PURC uses the projected generation mix, with fuel costs and the exchange rate, to set each quarter's tariffs. The World Bank reports that 91.9% of Ghanaians had access to electricity in 2024.

Official sources: PURC: 2026 fourth quarter tariff review decision for electricity and water · World Bank: access to electricity, Ghana

What fuel do Ghanaians cook with?

54.3% of households in Ghana cook mainly with wood or charcoal, down from 73.9% in 2010, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census. Gas (LPG) is the main cooking fuel for 36.9% of households, up from 6.2% in 2000. LPG use is much higher in urban (51.3%) than rural (14.8%) areas, and ranges from 68.2% in Greater Accra to 4.2% in North East Region.

In 11 regions more than six in ten households still use wood or charcoal. Only 37.5% of households have a separate room used only for cooking.

Official sources: Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 PHC Volume 3 highlights

Where do Ghanaians get their drinking water?

The main sources of drinking water for households in Ghana are sachet water (37.4%), pipe-borne water (31.7%) and boreholes or tube wells (17.7%), according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census. 92.0% of households use improved sources of drinking water: 97.8% in urban areas and 83.0% in rural areas. Savannah (70.5%), North East (74.8%) and Oti (77.1%) regions have the lowest shares.

The census asked households for their main source of drinking water, so households that use several sources are counted once. Among households using unimproved sources, 79.9% rely on surface water such as rivers, streams and dams. Water tariffs for Ghana Water Limited are set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission.

Official sources: Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 PHC Volume 3 highlights · Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

What are Ghana's CO2 emissions per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Ghana was 0.7 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 0.8 tonnes; its low point was 2005, at 0.3 tonnes. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.4 tonnes; Ghana is 15th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 141st highest.

What are Ghana's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Ghana was 48.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Ghana is 11th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 80th highest.

How much of Ghana's energy is renewable?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Ghana at 39.0% in 2021. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 37th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 71.1%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 63rd highest.

How much of Ghana is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Ghana was 30.9%, according to the FAO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 18th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 22.2%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 102nd highest.

How polluted is the air in Ghana?

28.1 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Ghana for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 23.6 micrograms per cubic metre (2014) to 34.2 micrograms per cubic metre (2008). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and Ghana placed 23rd highest of 48. Worldwide: 53rd of 192.

How much of Ghana is in national parks and reserves?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Ghana at 15.3% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and Ghana placed 28th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 116th of 192.

How much of Ghana's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in Ghana was 6.3%, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 22nd highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.1%. Worldwide: 109th of 175.