Mounting flood waste heightens health concerns in Alajo

Residents of Alajo in Accra are calling on city authorities to urgently deploy waste collection trucks and provide waste disposal materials to support clean-up efforts following the devastating floods that hit parts of the capital on Monday, June 29.

Days after the flooding, heaps of refuse, damaged furniture, soaked household items and goods salvaged from flooded shops remain piled along roadsides and in front of homes, creating concerns over sanitation and public health.

Residents fear that if the waste is not cleared promptly, subsequent rains could wash it back into drains, increasing the risk of clogged waterways and future flooding.

Business owners and residents say the slow pace of waste collection is hampering efforts to restore normalcy, with the lingering refuse also producing a foul odour across parts of the community.

 “All the gutters are choked with refuse. We need waste bins, and we would really appreciate it if the authorities could clear the rubbish as soon as possible. The area is in a terrible state, and the stench is unbearable. The refuse collection trucks should come and remove the waste before any other measures are taken,” a resident told Citi news.

The residents are urging the relevant authorities to act swiftly, warning that prolonged exposure to the waste could create conditions for disease outbreaks while leaving the community vulnerable to further flooding should heavy rains return.

CitiNewsRoom