Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in effluents from seafood processing facilities can contribute to the spread of AMR in the natural environment. In this study conducted in Tema, Ghana, a total of 38 effluent samples from two seafood processing facilities were collected during 2021 and 2022, as part of a pilot surveillance project to ascertain the bacterial load, bacterial species and their resistance to 15 antibiotics belonging to the WHO AWaRe group of antibiotics. The bacterial load in the effluent samples ranged from 13–1800 most probable number (MPN)/100 mL. We identified the following bacterial species: E. coli in 31 (82%) samples, K. pneumoniae in 15 (39%) samples, Proteus spp. in 6 (16%) samples, P. aeruginosa in 2 (5%) samples and A. baumannii in 2 (5%) samples. The highest levels of antibiotic resistance (100%) were recorded for ampicillin and cefuroxime among Enterobacteriaceae. The WHO priority pathogens—E. coli (resistant to cefotaxime, ceftazidime and carbapenem) and K.pneumoniae (resistant to ceftriaxone)—were found in 5 (13%) effluent samples. These findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance to identify the source of AMR and multi-drug resistant bacteria and an adoption of best practices to eliminate these bacteria in the ecosystem of the seafood processing facilities.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in ambient air. There is no published information about the presence and resistance profiles of bacteria in ambient air in Ghana. We evaluated the presence and antibiotic resistance profiles of selected bacterial, environmental and meteorological characteristics and airborne bacterial counts in 12 active air quality monitoring sites (seven roadside, two industrial and three residential) in Accra in February 2020. Roadside sites had the highest median temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and PM₁₀ concentrations, and median airborne bacterial counts in roadside sites (115,000 CFU/m³) were higher compared with industrial (35,150 CFU/m³) and residential sites (1210 CFU/m³). Bacillus species were isolated in all samples and none were antibiotic resistant. There were, however, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species, non-hemolytic Streptococci, Coliforms and Staphylococci species, of which six (50%) showed mono-resistance or multidrug resistance to four antibiotics (penicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone). There was a positive correlation between PM₁₀ concentrations and airborne bacterial counts (r_s = 0.72), but no correlations were found between PM₁₀ concentrations and the pathogenic bacteria nor their antibiotic resistance. We call for the expansion of surveillance of ambient air to other cities of Ghana to obtain nationally representative information.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can disseminate through effluents from seafood processing facilities (SPFs), posing environmental and public health risks. This study assessed changes in coliform load and antimicrobial resistance patterns in effluents from two SPFs in Tema, Ghana, before and after upgrades to effluent treatment systems between 2022 and 2024. A total of 19 effluent samples were collected per SPF in 2021–2022, 20 effluent samples each per SPF in 2024, and 8 potable water samples each per SPF in 2024. Median coliform counts declined significantly in both facilities (SPF-1: 920 to 35 MPN/100 mL; SPF-2: 280 to 9.5 MPN/100 mL; p < 0.001), representing a 96% overall reduction. Escherichia coli prevalence decreased markedly in SPF-2, although Pseudomonas aeruginosa emerged after treatment upgrades. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and multidrug resistance declined, particularly in SPF-1, but persisted across both facilities. Potable water used for seafood processing showed low but detectable coliform contamination. Despite substantial reductions in coliform bacterial load, the continued presence of resistant gram-negative bacteria highlights the need for sustained AMR surveillance, mandatory effective effluent treatment, and routine disinfection of potable water to protect public health.