Dr. Emmanuella Boye, a medical practitioner at the Wa Municipal Hospital, highlighted the significant health risks associated with cigarette smoking, stating that it contributes to various medical conditions. Dr.
Boye made these remarks during a Wa Konnect meet-up on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Wa Konnect is an initiative by the GhanaThink Foundation aimed at promoting the development of Wa and Ghana through mentorship, networking, training, and volunteering. The meet-up was part of GhanaThink Foundation’s Clean Air Ghana Project, titled “Galvanizing Youth Advocacy to Tackle Air Pollution,” supported by the Clean Air Fund.
The project aims to raise awareness about air pollution’s impact and foster discussions on its causes and solutions. “Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for many medical conditions,” Dr. Boye emphasized, explaining that inhaling hot smoke from cigarettes leads to lung issues and critical conditions such as heart and neurological diseases.
“The nicotine in cigarettes triggers inflammation in the lungs, leading to scarring and fibrosis. Smoking contributes to hypertension, diabetes, strokes, heart failures, heart attacks, and kidney failures,” she elaborated. Dr.
Boye warned that everyone is at risk, especially naive smokers and those exposed to second-hand smoke or smoke from cooking with charcoal and firewood. Mr. Minkailu Silinba, a waste recycling enthusiast, advocated using plastic bottles to create eco-bricks for construction and decoration, r.
