Residents around Gatsikorfe Mosque, also known as Satellite Marshall, at Amasaman in the Ga South Municipal District, have raised concerns over the continued keeping of cattle within the residential community, saying the situation has become a major sanitation and environmental nuisance. They say the increasing number of cattle is contributing to offensive odours and pollution, affecting the comfort and wellbeing of residents in the area.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said the situation has become so serious that she sometimes cannot open the window of her bedroom because of the strong smell from the cattle being kept immediately behind her building. She said the problem has persisted despite several attempts to draw the attention of the cattle owner to the concerns of residents.
According to her, the situation is not limited to one household but affects the wider community. She said whenever the owner sells some of the cattle, he brings in more, meaning the number of animals continues to increase. Residents consequently find themselves dealing with persistent odour, cattle waste and what they describe as an increasingly polluted environment.
The resident said the community is particularly worried about the potential health implications of the situation. She noted that the area is a residential community where families and children live, and residents fear that the poor sanitary conditions associated with keeping the cattle could expose them to diseases and other health risks.
She disclosed that residents have made attempts to seek assistance from local authorities. According to her, she personally raised the matter with the assemblywoman, who advised residents to make a formal report. However, she said after several months, residents have not heard of any meaningful action to address the problem.
Residents had also planned to come together for a community meeting to discuss the matter and find a collective solution. The meeting, however, has yet to take place because the person who was helping to lead and organise the residents is a veteran pastor whose wife is reportedly facing a difficult situation, leaving him with little time to coordinate the process.
The residents are therefore appealing to the Ga South Municipal Assembly, Environmental Health Unit, veterinary authorities and other relevant agencies to intervene. They want the authorities to inspect the area, assess the conditions under which the cattle are being kept and determine whether the activity is appropriate for the residential setting. They also believe the cattle owner should be engaged to find a solution that does not unnecessarily threaten his livelihood while protecting the health and comfort of residents.
Residents insist that they are not against cattle rearing or the economic activities of individuals, but believe such activities should be carried out in suitable locations with proper sanitation, waste management and animal-control measures. They are calling for the cattle to be moved to an appropriate location if necessary, saying the continued situation around Gatsikorfe Mosque/Satellite Marshall in Amasaman is creating growing frustration and could become a more serious public-health concern if urgent action is not taken.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
