BY: DANIEL OTU ASANTE
27-08-2024
The Agbobloshie Market, a bustling hub of commercial activities in the national capital, Accra, is facing a severe sanitation crisis that has raised concerns among residents and traders.
The market, which is known for its vibrant trade in fresh farm produce, textiles, and household goods is grappling with deteriorating hygiene conditions that pose serious health risks.
Vendors and shoppers alike have expressed concern over the increasingly unsanitary conditions, which include lack of trash bins, uncollected waste, and stagnant water – a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Some vendors who spoke to Pan African News expressed how frustrated they are about the situation.
“The situation has been exacerbated by irregular waste collection services and insufficient garbage management infrastructure, and if both the local and central governments would do something about the situation, it will help traders in the Agbobloshie market”, they appealed.
In an attempt to address the issue, the vendors subsequently suggested some effective and sustainable solutions, including the construction of proper waste disposal facilities and regular maintenance of existing sanitation infrastructure in the market.
Speaking to the news team, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Odododiodioo Constituency, Alfred Kotey Ashie, highlighted result-oriented initiatives undertaken by the Assembly to address the menace.
“The unsanitary environment in the Agbobloshie market and its environs could lead to the outbreak of diseases, including cholera and other waterborne illnesses. All efforts by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to address the problem, including clean-up campaigns and improved waste collection schedules have been met with myriads of challenges leading to minimal results which have not been sufficient to cope with the scale of the problem”, he said.
Community leaders and market stakeholders are urging both the local and central governments to prioritize the sanitation issues in the Agbobloshie Market to protect users of the trading facility.