The Sunyani Municipal Adolescent Parliament has voiced grave concerns regarding the deplorable state of the Sunyani “Zongo dumpsite,” also known as “Zongo Borla,” labeling it a breeding ground for criminal activity within the Bono Regional capital. The parliament’s speaker, Master Daniel Sarkodie-Frimpong, highlighted the site’s notoriety for open defecation, drug use, and theft, asserting that a significant majority of reported theft cases in Sunyani originate in or around the dumpsite. Adolescents are disproportionately affected, both as perpetrators and victims of these crimes. He called upon President John Dramani Mahama for immediate intervention, expressing disappointment over the limited success of previous government efforts, including a World Bank-funded project, to rehabilitate the area.
The parliament’s concerns were articulated during their second bi-annual policy and performance hearing, focusing on the theme of strengthening sanitation laws and addressing the Zongo dumpsite as a crucial step towards a cleaner and safer city for adolescents. The Sunyani-based NGO, Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), established this adolescent parliament as part of their Resilient City for Adolescents (RC4) project. GloMeF employs social and behavior change communication, rights-based approaches, and evidence-based research to promote inclusive development programs targeting vulnerable groups, including young people, women, and children.
Master Sarkodie-Frimpong emphasized the long-standing environmental degradation and hazardous activities at the Zongo Borla, posing severe risks to adolescents and the wider community. He described the structures within the dumpsite as hotspots for drug trade and consumption, perpetuating a cycle of risky behavior and insecurity. Despite some clearance efforts, the site remains hazardous, exposing residents to health risks such as cholera outbreaks and waterborne diseases. Open defecation, which has become normalized at the site, further exacerbates the existing sanitation challenges.
GloMeF, through the RC4A project, has proposed transforming the Zongo dumpsite into a safe and inclusive recreational center for adolescents. However, this transformation has stalled due to the contractor’s failure to complete and hand over the site, leaving the community vulnerable to neglect and danger. This delay perpetuates the existing risks and undermines the project’s intended positive impact.
Master Sarkodie-Frimpong expressed concern over the heightened exposure to pathogens caused by uncontrolled dumping, open defecation, and partially cleared debris, increasing the risk of cholera outbreaks, dysentery, and skin infections. Furthermore, the prevalence of theft and illegal activities, such as drug dealing and smoking, exposes adolescents to the dangers of recruitment into criminal behavior or becoming victims of violence. The stigma associated with living near or interacting with the dumpsite further marginalizes adolescents, limiting their integration into positive community activities and hindering their personal development.
The parliament warned of the potential for a public health crisis and further entrenchment of criminal activities if the issues at the dumpsite remain unaddressed. They urged President Mahama to intervene and prompt city authorities to expedite the evacuation and leveling of the site. This call to action underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for swift government intervention to mitigate the risks and protect the community, particularly its adolescents. The GloMeF Program Manager, Mr. Edward Ayabilah, highlighted the adolescent parliament’s role in raising awareness about critical urban issues, advocating for youth-led approaches to sustainable urban development, and ensuring that Sunyani becomes a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive city that prioritizes the needs of its young residents. He also commended the Swiss Botnar Fondation for funding the three-year project, which is already demonstrating a significant impact on the lives of adolescents in the community.
