Ayariga Ministry stinking; workers’ health in danger

Today can report that the health of workers at the Ministry of Information and Media Relations are hanging in the balance.

This danger, the paper gathered, is because issues of sanitation are not treated seriously at the ministry.

On a recent visit to the ministry [on Tuesday, October 8, 2013,] the paper observed that the sanitary conditions at the government building was nothing to write home about, especially the nature of toilet facilities at the celebrated office complex.

It was further observed that visitors to the information ministry who walk along the terrace of the down floor could not escape a terrible smell emanating from the ministry’s washrooms as a result of leakages.

In fact, the smell is so strong that visitors – both local and foreign – who patronise the place are mostly compelled to cover their noses.

“It is very common to see staff and visitors covering their noses with handkerchiefs and bare hands anytime they walk along the corridors of the ministry leading to the library just to avoid the disgusting odour…,” staff at the Ministry of Information who pleaded anonymity said.

They revealed that it is worse if one decides to use the washrooms as the place is so un-kempt that it takes only ‘serious pressure’ for one to be able to use the place.

What is worrying, Today gathered, is that this ‘dangerous’ smell has persisted for a long time.

But unfortunately, the ministers at the ministry have made no attempt to address it.

Today gathered that as an alternative, visitors have had to endure the unbearable pain of responding to nature’s call by climbing the staircase to the second floor of the ministry or move to nearby agencies to ease themselves.

The workers revealed to this reporter that the momentous situation is not limited to the Information Ministry, but has plagued other State-owned agencies in the capital.

They named the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Ministry of Health, Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA,) Ghana Health Service, and Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and the Ministry Finance and Economic Planning.