AMA is wobbling with 2000 metric tonnes of waste a day

Accra, June 17, GNA- Out of the 2,000 metric tonnes of waste generated in Accra daily, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has the capacity to handle only 1,500 metric tonnes of it.

Dr Yaw Boateng, Director of Public Health, AMA who disclosed this in Accra on Wednesday said the remaining 500 metric tonnes of refuse therefore posed a health hazard to the city dwellers.

Speaking at a day's forum organised by the Greater Accra Regional Office of the Community Based Organisations (CSOs) in Health, Dr Boateng attributed the phenomenon to the high influx of people to the city resulting in over population and emergence of slums, inadequate housing facilities and lack of planning to cater for the state of affairs. The forum was on the theme: "Effective Collaboration and Partnership with Civil Society Organisations in Quality Healthcare Delivery."

Dr Boateng noted that the AMA is also confronted with electronic waste, which is compounding the environmental problem. He explained that the volume of electronic waste also known as e-waste, being generated grossly outweigh the capacity of the AMA to manage it in a more sustainable way. Dr Boateng said a recent study conducted by Greenpeace, a non-governmental organisation at Agbobloshie, a suburb of Accra indicate where most e-waste are burnt, revealed high levels of lead in children living in the vicinity, which in the long-term could result to cancer and other chronic diseases.

Truck loads of e-waste are dumped and burnt in the area, releasing noxious fumes into the atmosphere, which results in respiratory diseases among residents.

Dr Boateng warned of a looming public health crisis, which would divert the much needed resources for development projects to control it. He called on CSOs to support the AMA in managing the e-waste to check the environmental threat.

Dr Boateng asked them to come out with project proposals, contracts, and budgets to find solutions to the problem and also highlight the need for donor support.

He called on CSOs to assist the government to improve on the health needs of the people through advocacy and resource mobilisation from organisations like the Global Fund for the control of malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

Dr John Yabani of the Accra Metro Health Directorate, called on CSOs to decentralise their activities since it holds the key for the development of the people.

He urged CSOs to build strong relationship with the people, the health directorate and other government institutions to tackle the health problems of the Metropolis.

Dr Yabani expressed worry about the gaps that arise in the collection of health data, unstructured investment and low use of Information Communication and Technology and asked CSOs to help reverse the situation by strengthening the population base data for proper planning of national activities. Mr Eric Agbozo, Regional Chairman of the Coalition called for workable solution to bridge the gaps in the Regional Health Review. 17 June 09