The Amasaman Zongo Chief reminded the public that diseases, such as cholera, worm infestations, typhoid and poliomyelitis could be caused by insanitary practices, and therefore, cautioned against dumping of waste indiscriminately, open defecation and pollution of water bodies.

Chief Mohammed Haidra was interacting with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) about the disregard for safe disposal of waste in Amasaman.  He noted that although the government alone could not ensure sanitation and environmental preservation, it behoved on the Municipal Assembly to make sanitation a top priority by providing public toilets in strategic locations.

According to him, the two public toilets at Amasaman, the Ga West Municipal capital, were not enough to cater for the people, adding that, refuse containers were also not enough to help curb indiscriminate littering of refuse.

 Chief Mohammed Haidra noted that filth which has engulfed some parts of the Municipality was becoming a potential health hazard, in spite of the government’s campaign on sanitation, to make sure that the people adapted to a more hygienic lifestyle.

He urged landlords not to shirk their responsibility to provide toilet facilities in their homes, so as to reduce the pressure on the public facilities. When contacted at her office at the Municipal Assembly, Madam Sandra Afriyie Nartey, Public Relations Officer (PRO), cautioned residents against indiscriminate dumping of waste, open defecation and pollution of water bodies and stated that, the Assembly was strictly enforcing by-laws on sanitation.

The PRO said the Ga West Municipal Assembly’s by-laws stated that every household should have a toilet facility, but some residents have taken the law into their hands to do the contrary and said those caught in the act of open defecation, would be prosecuted at the Sanitation Court, or summoned to the chief’s court.

Madam Nartey explained that the Municipal capital has over three public toilets and few refuse containers, adding that, the Assembly has encouraged every house to have at least a toilet, small refuse containers placed at the frontage of their houses, since in modern times public toilet facilities and refuse dumps were being discouraged.

She explained further that some residents and visitors could encounter sudden   inconveniences and for that matter, the Assembly owes it a duty to make provision for decent toilet facilities at convenient locations to serve such people, especially at lorry terminals, market places and densely populated residential areas.

Madam Nartey also advised the people to endeavour to embark on clean-up exercises by sweeping, clearing public places and clear the drains to help rid the Municipality of filth, in respect of the sanitation challenges facing the Municipality,