The Agona West Municipal Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate has launched an intensive public education campaign to combat cholera outbreaks and maintain the municipality’s historically high sanitation standards. Principal Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ampong, emphasized the proactive approach, highlighting the directorate’s commitment to educating various sectors of the community, including schools, churches, transportation hubs, markets, and entertainment venues, on the importance of environmental hygiene. This intensified effort comes as the municipality seeks to reclaim its standing as the cleanest district in the Central Region, a title it held for eight consecutive years before recent setbacks. Mr. Ampong attributed the resurgence of cholera cases after an eight-year hiatus to a decline in community-wide adherence to sanitation practices.
The Environmental Health and Sanitation Department’s primary focus is eradicating environment-related diseases and restoring the municipality to its former status as a model of cleanliness. The public education campaign serves as a crucial element of this strategy, aiming to raise awareness and instill a sense of responsibility among residents for maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. The directorate believes that by empowering the community with knowledge and fostering a shared commitment to sanitation, they can effectively prevent the spread of diseases like cholera and improve the overall health of the population. The campaign is designed to be comprehensive, reaching diverse segments of the population to ensure maximum impact.
Despite the ongoing public education efforts, the directorate has faced resistance from some residents who have disregarded the call for improved sanitation practices. To address this non-compliance, the authorities have resorted to legal action, prosecuting eleven sanitation offenders for various violations. These offenses include improper disposal of septic tank waste, illegal dumping of refuse, and the sale of expired products to the public. The legal action aims to serve as a deterrent, underscoring the seriousness of maintaining environmental hygiene and the consequences of neglecting these responsibilities. The penalties imposed range from warnings for less severe infractions to fines proportionate to the offense’s gravity. In some cases, surveillance measures have been implemented to monitor compliance and prevent further violations.
The municipality’s collaborative approach to sanitation involves partnerships with private entities like Zoomlion Company Limited, whose manager, Mr. Christian Ocran, pledged ongoing support for maintaining cleanliness within the municipality. This collaboration demonstrates a multi-pronged strategy, combining public education, enforcement of sanitation regulations, and the active participation of private sector partners in waste management and environmental hygiene services. This integrated approach is essential for achieving sustainable improvements in sanitation and promoting a healthier environment for all residents.
The directorate believes that by combining proactive public education with robust enforcement of regulations, they can effectively curb the spread of preventable diseases like cholera and improve the overall health and well-being of the community. Mr. Ampong stressed the importance of collective responsibility, urging residents to actively participate in maintaining a clean environment, not only for their own health but also for the benefit of the entire municipality. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is to create a sustainable culture of cleanliness and hygiene that will safeguard the community’s health in the long term.
The resurgence of cholera cases serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining high sanitation standards and reinforces the need for continuous public education and vigilance. The Agona West Municipal Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate remains committed to its mission of creating a healthier environment for all residents and restoring the municipality’s reputation as a leader in sanitation and hygiene. The directorate’s ongoing efforts aim to create a lasting impact on the community’s health and well-being, fostering a culture of responsibility and shared commitment to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment.
