Ghana’s cities are getting hotter: they need more trees to keep them cool

Annual temperatures are rising in Ghana’s capital, Accra.

By: Yaw Agyeman Boafo, University of Ghana, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 24, 2026

Words: 1,171

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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By Yaw Agyeman Boafo, University of Ghana

Ghana’s cities are expanding at a breathtaking pace. From Madina to Cape Coast, from Sekondi-Takoradi to Tamale, concrete infrastructure are rising, wetlands are shrinking, and open lands are disappearing. But something else is rising quietly alongside this growth. Heat. And not just ordinary heat – dangerous urban heat.

Urban heat refers to the rise in temperatures in built-up areas compared to surrounding rural environments, a phenomenon known as the …

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