Early morning on Tuesday, April 22, I visited Kumasi, the vibrant capital of the Ashanti Region, which has long been a beacon of economic and cultural significance in Ghana.
However, beneath its rich heritage and bustling streets lies a stark reality: the city is grappling with a severe sanitation crisis.
This once-thriving metropolis, affectionately known as the “Garden City,” has unfortunately become one of the dirtiest urban centers in the country. A thriving economic hub should not be plagued by filth.
On April 12th, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, led a cleanup exercise in parts of the region. This well-intentioned exercise won the hearts and goodwill of many, especially young residents of the region.
However, not only did the market traders fail to seize the opportunity to clean their surroundings, they blatantly and shamelessly did not endeavor to maintain the cleanliness they came to meet—one achieved by the sweat of the teeming youth led by the young Regional Minister.
To describe scenes this and every morning in the Central Business District of Kumasi as an eyesore is perhaps an understatement. It is a total dumping ground, littered with waste.
Why traders would allow the very places they earn their livelihoods to remain so filthy beggars belief. Beyond the visible dirt, the business district reeks of an irritating stench.
The stretch from the Children’s Hospital to Otumfuo Roundabout is congested, with gutters overflowing and clogged with waste.
From the MTN office heading towards the Otumfuo statue at PZ, this morning is a total refuse dump. The same can be said of the stretch from the Otumfuo Roundabout through Dr. Mensah and Manhyia Palace.
The roads are congested, traders have encroached on streets, and gutters are choked with refuse. It is baffling that roads leading to significant landmarks, including the residence of the Asantehene (King of Ashanti), are in such deplorable conditions.
Traders continue to operate in unauthorized areas while authorities appear indifferent. “The greater Kumasi area alone generates some 2,000 tons of waste daily. In several other jurisdictions where recycling and upcycling are creating jobs and raking in revenues, waste is money.
Sanitation workers are offered a pittance while the sanitation companies they work for, usually owned by polipreneurs, enjoy the booty from hefty cumulative charges they bill to the state.
Yet, the workers are expected to work through the night and are thanked with piles of filth that emerge in the CBD at sunrise, completely rendering their efforts fruitless.
I strongly agree with the Member of Parliament for Suame Constituency, Lawyer John Darko, over his call on political parties and the general public to refrain from politicizing the efforts of city mayors to decongest major urban centers across Ghana.
His Majesty Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II intervened to launch a Heal Komfo Anokye project when he realized that for years the only tertiary referral health facility serving some 12 out of Ghana’s 16 regions had deteriorated beyond comprehension.
Must we wait for Otumfuo to declare a state of emergency before addressing these sanitation issues too?
Reviving Kumasi’s beauty and cleanliness requires a collective effort. Here are some steps we can take:
• Community Engagement: Organize regular community cleanups and involve local residents in maintaining public spaces.
• Regulatory Enforcement: Authorities should ensure that traders operate within designated areas and adhere to sanitation regulations.
• Infrastructure Development: Invest in improving drainage systems and waste management infrastructure to prevent congestion and pollution.
• Education and Awareness: Promote environmental awareness among residents and traders to foster a culture of cleanliness.
Together, we can transform Kumasi into a thriving, clean, and vibrant city that reflects its rich heritage and economic importance. The time for change is now.
Source: Kwadwo Owusu
