Pure Earth Ghana

07/08/2026

Upcoming Webinar! The Partnership for a Lead-Free Future (PLF) is hosting a virtual webinar on August 13th, providing information on environmentally sound recycling of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) and launching a new toolkit on Strategies to Encourage the Environmentally Sound Recycling of Used Lead-Acid Batteries.

Pure Earth Senior Research Scientist Dr Chris Kinally will present on the environmental and health impacts of lead exposure from ULAB recycling, addressing a leading source of lead exposure worldwide.

Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM, GMT
RSVP: https://lnkd.in/eYVKwgb7

05/08/2026

A major milestone has been achieved in Pure Earth's efforts to reduce lead exposure in Ghana with the official launch of the intervention phase of our Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) in Tali, a community in the Tolon District of the Northern Region.

The intervention involves exchanging lead-contaminated cookware and eyeliners identified in participating households with lead-free alternatives.
In line with local customs, the launch began with a courtesy visit to the Chief and elders of Tali, where the intervention was formally introduced before activities commenced, underscoring the importance of community engagement in advancing sustainable public health interventions.

We were honored to be joined by the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John; the Tolon District Chief Executive, Hon. Seidu Braimah; officials from the Tolon District Assembly; and our Country Director, Mr. George Akanlu, whose presence reaffirmed the strong partnership and commitment to protecting communities from lead exposure.

Following the product exchange, participating households will be monitored over the next three months, after which blood samples will be collected to assess the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing blood lead levels.

This study represents an important step toward generating evidence-based solutions to reduce household lead exposure and improve the health and well-being of communities in Ghana. We are grateful to our government partners, local leaders, research collaborators, and participating communities for their continued support and commitment to this important work.

31/07/2026

Great engagement with Ghana's Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.

Our Country Director, Mr. George Akanlu, met with the Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment to strengthen our shared commitment to tackling lead exposure. He highlighted our ongoing work with the Environmental Protection Authority, including the recent donation of an XRF analyzer to detect toxic metals in consumer products, and our efforts with the Ghana Standards Authority to improve cookware safety standards.

He also discussed Ghana's role as a member of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, ahead of a key vote in November to designate lead as a global Issue of Concern under the Global Framework on Chemicals.

Grateful for the Ministry's continued partnership as we work together to protect Ghanaian families, especially children, from preventable lead exposure. 💪

20/07/2026

Earlier this month, Pure Earth took a significant step forward in advancing environmental health protection in Ghana by donating an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Ghana. The donation, made possible through the Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative, equips the EPA with a critical tool to detect and monitor lead contamination across the country, including in consumer products, household items, soils, and industrial sites.

The XRF Analyzer will enable faster, more reliable screening for lead, generating the evidence needed to support informed decision-making, strengthen environmental monitoring, and enhance efforts to protect communities from harmful lead exposure.

This donation reflects our continued commitment to working alongside government institutions and partners to build national capacity, expand lead testing, strengthen environmental monitoring, and advance evidence-based solutions that safeguard public health.

Together, we are taking another important step toward a future where every child, family, and community can live free from the dangers of lead pollution.

17/07/2026

Lead exposure harms children and undermines entire systems. When children carry the cognitive and physical burden of lead exposure, every dollar spent on schools, nutrition, and healthcare delivers less than its full potential.

Check out Drew McCartor's Talk (https://www.pureearth.org/ted-talk/) to learn more about this invisible anchor holding us down, and what we can do to remove that burden and ensure those investments go further and compound faster.

14/07/2026

What does it take to protect over 500 million children from lead poisoning? It's the question at the heart of our Audacious idea, revealed in President Drew McCartor's TED Talk, which just landed.

Our new initiative, funded through The Audacious Project, will measure the scale of lead poisoning, trace it to its sources, and drive the national policies needed to stop it, protecting generations to come.

Watch the TED Talk: https: https://www.pureearth.org/ted-talk/

And go deeper on the blog: https://www.pureearth.org/scaleblog/

In his TED Talk, Drew breaks down what's driving the lead poisoning crisis, why it remains so neglected, and how Pure Earth's Audacious project is working to protect more than 500 million children.

10/07/2026

Pure Earth President Drew McCartor took the TED 2026 stage, and today we're sharing his talk with the world.

Lead poisoning causes an estimated 3.5 million deaths globally each year and strips children of 765 million IQ points annually. It's one of the most overlooked public health crises in the world, and one of the most solvable.

Our team in Ghana works every day to find lead pollution, stop it at the source, and protect the next generation of children from its harm. We’re honored to see our efforts highlighted on the TED stage.

Watch the full talk and share it with your network: https://www.pureearth.org/ted-talk/

24/06/2026

Pure Earth Awarded Pioneer in E-Waste Management in Ghana.

We are honoured to be recognized as a Pioneer in Ghana's E-Waste Sector, celebrating over a decade of advancing safer recycling practices, solving toxic pollution, supporting policy development, and protecting communities from harmful environmental exposures.

This recognition shows how working with the government and all stakeholders can drive lasting environmental health impact across Ghana.

Together, we remain committed to building a cleaner, healthier, and safer future for all.

Click to read more: https://www.pureearth.org/pure-earth-awarded-pioneer-in-e-waste-management-in-ghana/

23/06/2026

Last week, our field team, accompanied by our Country Director, conducted a supply chain and market screening assessment at Nima Market and Agbogbloshie in Accra. The team engaged eyeliner and cookware vendors to gain a deeper understanding of the supply chain, including product sourcing, restocking patterns, pricing, and vendors' awareness and perceptions of lead-related product safety. Eyeliner samples were also collected for laboratory analysis to assess potential lead contamination.

By combining market intelligence with product screening, the assessment provides valuable evidence to better understand potential sources of lead exposure and inform future interventions, policy development, and consumer protection efforts.

At Pure Earth Ghana, we are committed to generating the evidence needed to tackle toxic pollution at its source. Through science-driven research and market assessments, we are helping to identify hidden risks in everyday consumer products and advance a healthier, lead-safe future for all.