Chemicals used for disinfection exercise not harmful

Mr Charles Asabre Ampomah, the Director of Sanitation and Waste Management at the Ga East Municipal Assembly, has said the chemicals used for the disinfection exercise are harmless and urged the public to remain calm.

This followed concerns raised by a section of the public over the possible public health risks of the disinfection exercise carried out in all public markets in the Greater Accra Region.

Briefing the media during a tour to some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) markets during the exercise, Mr Ampomah assured the public and the concerned traders of their safety.

He said the chlorine, which is a major chemical used in the disinfection exercise was harmless to human and could only kill pests and insects which the exercise targeted.

Mr Ampomah said traders could return to their shops and points of sale on Tuesday, as directed by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), without any worry.

The exercise, spearheaded by the MLGRD and the MMDAs was to enhance the hygiene in the markets and forms part of measures put in place by Government with the onset of the coronavirus.

The exercise, despite the late start in some Municipalities, was completed on schedule and was generally peaceful with officials encountering no challenges.

Dr Emmanuel Lamptey, the MCE for Ga Central, expressed satisfaction over the exercise saying improving the sanitation situation in the country’s markets must be a priority for all.

He said even though this is a nationwide exercise, the Assembly would not hesitate to embark on another disinfection of all markets within the Municipality when necessary.

At the Amasaman A and B, Three Junction, Medie and Sarpeiman markets in the Ga West Municipality, Mr Clement Nii Lantey Wilkinson, the MCE, commended the traders for abiding by the directives from the Ministry and the Assembly.

He also commended Government through the Local Government Ministry for the efforts being made to halt the spread of the COVID-19 at all levels.

Madam Gertrude Ankrah, MCE for Ga North, said the exercise was an initiative capable of protecting citizens as well as preventing the spread of the virus, if not to eradicate it.

She urged the residents and the general public to strictly adhere to the directives as issued by the World Health Organisation, the Ghana Health Service and other health partners to ensure that the outbreak was contained.

A total of 137 markets in more than 25 MMDAs in the Greater Accra Region were earmarked for the exercise.

The exercise is expected to be replicated in the remaining 15 regions across the country.

Ghana has so far recorded 24 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 and with one death.