This follows a mass infestation of bedbugs that left inmates of the prison with itchy skins, insomnia and panic.

For several months, the over 3,000 inmates of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison have suffered bedbugs infestation as a result of congestion, poor ventilation and hygiene.

Unable to bear it any longer, the management of the prison sent an appeal to the Vector Control Unit of Zoomlion for assistance to fumigate the prison.

Bedbugs

Bedbugs are parasitic insects of the cimicid family that feed exclusively on blood. Cimex lectularius, the common bedbug, is the best known as it prefers to feed on human blood.

Bedbugs do not fly, but they can move quickly over floors, walls and ceilings. Although they are a nuisance, they do not transmit diseases.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the exercise, the Deputy Head of the Vector Control Unit of Zoomlion, Mr Abel Djangmah, explained that aside from the public health nuisance, bedbugs infestation had the potential for disease outbreaks.

He observed that bedbugs were becoming predominant in schools and prisons in recent times mainly due to unhygienic practices and congestion.

He added that although the chemicals for the fumigation were expensive, Zoomlion Ghana Limited underwrote it as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Mr Djangmah, therefore, called on the public, especially schools to avoid unhygienic practices that could lead to bedbugs.

Nsawam Prison

The Assistant Director of the Nsawam Prisons, Mr Edmund Odonkor, said the mass infestation of bedbugs at the institution made it extremely difficult for the inmates to sleep.

“When we realise the issue of bedbugs at the prison, we wrote to Zoomlion Ghana Limited to come and help us address it. Although this is not the first time, it has been months since such exercise was carried out at the prison,” he said.

Mr Odonkor attributed the issue to the overcrowding of inmates at the prison, adding that “our number is now more than 3,000 which was beyond the capacity of the prisons.”

He thanked the management of Zoomlion Ghana for the support and quick response to the plight of the inmates.