The Agbogbloshie market, often touted as the largest market in Accra, greets visitors with a disheartening sight: heaps of rubbish, deteriorating roads, and clogged gutters. This grim reality worsens during the rainy season, exacerbating sanitation issues and increasing the risk of epidemics. Recognizing the urgent need for action, Sanitation GH, a non-governmental organization, has partnered with the Greater Accra Regional Council to tackle the dire sanitation conditions plaguing the market and its surroundings, where approximately 70,000 people endure squalid living conditions in Accra’s largest slum.
Under the leadership of Dr. Otoo Essampong, Executive Director of Sanitation GH, a comprehensive cleanup initiative is set to commence on June 1st, designated as Sanitation Day. This effort aims to promote better hygiene and a healthier environment as the rainy season approaches, mitigating the risk of disease outbreaks associated with unsanitary conditions. Dr. Essampong also plans to implement public awareness campaigns and enforce sanitation laws to discourage littering and promote responsible waste management.
Despite the alarming sanitation-related fatalities reported annually, little action has been taken to address the situation adequately. Market traders have repeatedly voiced their concerns, urging authorities to intervene. However, these pleas have largely fallen on deaf ears.
During a recent interaction with market traders and customers, it became evident that the unsanitary conditions are not only detrimental to health but also significantly impact businesses. The accumulation of refuse, coupled with the poor state of access roads, deters potential customers and disrupts trade activities.
Market women lament the inadequate waste management practices, emphasizing the unbearable stench and its adverse effects on sales, particularly during rainfall. Additionally, they highlight the recurring neglect of road repairs, which impedes transportation and compromises market accessibility.
In light of these challenges, stakeholders, including traders, buyers, and transporters, are calling on relevant authorities to expedite efforts to revitalize the Agbogbloshie market. Addressing sanitation and infrastructure deficiencies is not only crucial for public health but also essential for sustaining economic activities and improving livelihoods in the community.
AYM Kukah:E-mail.kukahalexander7@gmail.com
