General News of Friday, 12 October 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
2018-10-12
Residents had to battle with mosquitoes on a daily basis
The Ghana Maritime Authority has stepped in to solve the sanitation problems at Osu Anohor, a suburb of Accra.
This follows a Citi News report on Citi TV, highlighting the negative impact of the sanitation situation at the area.
Residents on a daily basis had to battle with mosquitoes as the only drain, which was an outlet to the sea, was stagnant and full of filth and faecal matter.
But there is some hope for residents as the Maritime Authority is providing relief to them.
Director of the Authority, Kwame Owusu, who toured parts of the drain which was then a receptacle of waste said,
“I was baffled and shaken when I heard the news. So, I rallied with my managers and my board for us to do something. We need to put structures in place so that we see how we can prevent the plastic from entering the sea on a permanent basis. We will have engineers to understudy it so we can fund it.”
‘Harvesting waste at Osu’
There was impending health disaster at Osu Anohor close to the former seat of government; the castle.
A major drain that is supposed to channel liquid waste into the sea had now become storage for plastic waste and human excreta that finally ends up in the sea.
An alternative was introduced as a means of preventing the plastic waste from ending up in the sea but those in charge were not able to clear the waste over a period of time a situation that poses health concerns.
Sanitation challenges: Parliament must consider a legislation on plastics – Zanetor
Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, wants Parliament to take keen interest in passing a legislation on the use and production of plastics in the country.
The Klottey Korle legislator indicated that a coordinated effort is needed to address sanitation issues generally in the country.
“We need to definitely look at trying to support people in the community who are willing to help with waste management. The AMA has a huge role to play. This is something we need to tackle across board. Parliament needs to seriously look at the legislation that deals with plastic production and waste as well as the type of plastic we allow within the country.”