Residents of Ziavi Adukofe, a community in the Ho Municipality of the Volta region have had their long awaited prayers answered.
This comes as a result of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources’ dumpsite evacuation carried out to clear a huge refuse dump near the community.
The exercise is part of a nationwide project being carried out by the Sanitation Ministry and the respective Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
The evacuation of dumpsites is part of government’s measures to achieve a cleaner Ghana, and apexing the continent in terms of sanitation.
Some residents of Ziavi Adukofe speaking with Ghanas Online said they are not pleased with the dumpsite situated near their community.
They said it has created a lot of problems for them, which they have longed prayed for something to be done about.
One resident said the exercise will reduce the sickness they encounter due to the site’s proximity to their community.
“Flies worry us when we are eating. We are happy they are clearing the place for us”, a nursing mother said.
“The malaria incidence here would be reduced because there would be no mosquitoes to bite us”, said another woman.
That notwithstanding, others said they would wish the dumping site be relocated from their community to avert the repercussions that come with it.
A male teenager said “they should stop. It makes the whole place stinks. If they disinfect this place once a week or even a month, that will reduce the smell and flies.”
Another woman indicated the rate at which the flies follow them make life miserable, such that “we can’t eat unless we eat in our room. The only time things get better is when they disinfect here.”
MCE addresses residents
Addressing the concerns raised by the residents, Municipal Chief Executive of Ho Municipality, Prosper Pi-Bansah, said Zoomlion Ghana Limited will construct a Solid Waste Treatment Facility which will curb the issue permanently.
He commended the Sanitation ministry for undertaking the evacuation exercise which has cleared four dumpsites in the Ho Municipality.
Meanwhile, the Ho Municipal Health Director, Aaron Ameedzro, also assured the residents the evacuation, together with the disinfection, will ameriolate the ills the dumpsite has brought to the area.
“We are supposed to maintain this place to avert all public health problems and also prevent the flies and breeding other agents that might cause nuisance”, he assured.
He added the site is sprayed intermittently and “Monday or Tuesday, we will disinfect the place to curb the flies and smell in the community.”
The scope of the work according to Mr. Ameedza constitutes creating access, burying some of the refuse, including cutting and cut back to refill.