Oblogo residents against dumping of refuse near Densu

Residents at Oblogo Freeman in the Ga South Municipal Assembly, have complained about the dumping of refuse near the Densu River, which is polluting their source of drinking water.

They said trucks carrying pile of rubbish dump them at the banks of the river, leading to offensive stench and invasion of flies and heightening the fear of contracting water borne diseases like cholera.

The Densu River gets it source from water discharged from the Weija Dam and is often used as a place for baptism by a number of churches and for other religious activities.

Reverend Judanopa Abdi Jehu-Appiah, Founder and General Overseer of Word Force Ministry, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that he had used the river body for a long time to carry out a number of baptism, but the situation is getting out of hand.

“Accra is noted for its phenomenal annual cholera outbreaks and its high fatalities and am surprised that in broad day light people could dump waste by a source of drinking water. The authorities must do something about the situation before it gets too late.

Mr Nii Kwame, a resident also complaint about the situation and asked the city authorities to tackle the situation with all seriousness.

An assemblyman who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the municipality has no refuse dump, and people have no option than to litter the river banks

The Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive spent $1.4 million from the World Bank to seal three landfill sites in the municipality.

The sites include the Mallam SCC and Oblogo sites and are expected to be used for recreational parks and football pitches.

For more than 17 years, residents close to the sites had contended with the strong stench that emanated from the pile of refuse.

They sometimes block roads in the area to prevent waste collection vehicles from dumping waste there.

Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, who handed over the land’s documents to the Municipal Assembly called for judicious use of the sites.