A project aimed at empowering communities in the Greater Accra Region to combat air pollution and climate emissions was launched in Accra yesterday. Known as "Breathe Cities" the initiative is being spearheaded by the Clean Air Fund, a global philanthropic foundation tackling air pollution. Speaking at the event, the Portfolio Manager of the Clean Air Fund, Dr Elvis Kyere-Gyeabour, expressed worry over the estimated 18,000 deaths in Ac­cra annually which has been attributed to air pollution-related illnesses. He said 40 per cent of the air pollution in Ghana was due to vehicle emissions, adding that commercial hubs and densely populated areas contribut­ed significantly to this growing menace. He stated that the project also sought to support the government's efforts at combating air pollution by implement­ing targeted policies and interventions to mitigate the menace.