Residents of Mankessim in the Mfantseman Municipality have raised serious concerns over the worsening sanitation situation, as piles of uncollected refuse continue to spread across key parts of the town.
According to multiple residents who spoke to NewsAfricaGhana, the indiscriminate dumping and delayed collection of waste have turned several public spaces into eyesores and potential health hazards. Many described the situation as a “punishment” on the community, warning that it poses a significant threat to public health if urgent action is not taken.
The residents noted that the electoral area-based sanitation initiative, which was expected to address waste management challenges, has so far yielded little to no visible results. They argue that despite efforts on paper, the reality on the ground reflects a system struggling to cope with the growing volume of waste.
Areas most affected include the busy Mankessim–Accra Main Lorry Station, Ansah Park, and the Mankessim–Cape Coast Station, where heaps of garbage have become a common sight, emitting foul odours and creating an unsanitary environment for commuters, traders, and residents alike.
Describing it as a cycle that continues to defy all efforts at control, residents, despite hiring individuals and private collectors to help dispose of waste, the problem appears to be escalating rather than improving.
They lament that in some instances, even after waste is cleared from certain points, new heaps are quickly dumped in the same locations, worsening the sanitation crisis.
Many community members say the situation has become discouraging, forcing some households and traders to question the effectiveness of current waste management practices. They further noted that repeated attempts to clean up the environment have not yielded lasting results, leading to growing concern about public health risks.
Community members are now calling on the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly and other relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action. They are urging the deployment of effective waste management strategies, stricter enforcement of sanitation by-laws, and increased public education to help curb the menace.
Residents stress that prioritising sanitation is critical not only for environmental cleanliness but also for safeguarding public health and restoring the dignity of the municipality.
