Residents and workers around the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra have expressed frustration over recurring sanitation issues in the area.
Despite regular clean-up efforts, waste continues to pile up due to a lack of waste bins and other systemic challenges.
Authorities are being urged to address the problem.
Anthony Oduro, a driver in the area, lamented the lack of proper waste disposal facilities. He stated, “After the elections, rubbish is everywhere. At this station, we pay our workers to keep the place neat; it is not Zoomlion that cleans here. We don’t have a proper place to keep our rubbish, and we plead with the government to provide one.”
Similarly, Emmanuel Modzaka, a supervisor at the new station in Odawna, emphasized their efforts to maintain cleanliness. He said, “The sanitation here is good because we clean constantly. Being a private company, we sweep three to four times a day, every day.”
Zoomlion worker Phylis Armah highlighted the challenges faced by sanitation workers, despite their regular efforts.
She noted, “Authorities often claim we are not working when they inspect, even though we are. We suspect hooligans are responsible for the littering. We are tired and plead with stakeholders to address this issue.”
An Environmental Health Officer from the Korle Klottey Municipality shed light on some underlying causes.
According to the officer, “Low-income communities struggle to pay for services, leading to reliance on the informal sector, which contributes to indiscriminate dumping and burning. Additionally, mentally challenged individuals and drug users contribute to improper waste disposal as part of their daily activities.”
The persistent sanitation issues at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange reflect broader challenges in waste management, from insufficient infrastructure to behavioural and systemic problems. Residents, workers, and authorities all agree on the need for sustainable solutions, including increased waste bin availability and stricter enforcement of sanitation policies.
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