Its 4.00 am at Mallam Junction and a thick ball of smoke fills the cool morning sky. What looks like a strange fire threat is indeed the daily reality for residents of the Mallam Junction and Market areas in Accra.
Sunday World investigations have revealed a classic case of mainstream environmental pollution that has left in its wake bronchitis, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Underlying this threat is the booming cattle trade in Ashiaman, Nima , Zongo junction and Kasoa. Cattle slaughtered in these centers have their hides removed, loaded into trucks and sent to the bush behind the Mallam Junction area.
At a site in the bush, lorry tyres are gathered and set on fire. The burning fire is then ready to receive in its arms, the hide, which is off-loaded and spread on the fire. The carbonated fire removes the fur and what is left is 'Wele', the local delicacy
Residents have confirmed a daily routine of smoke from burning tyres engulfing the whole area from dawn to late morning. Any white material exposed in the area, gets black stains whilst walls, curtains and nets change colour to black. A resident, Madam Helina Baiden, said the smoke has affected her two little children, Nana Yaw and Lisa Baiden who have had difficulty in breathing. Just last December, her family doctor, Dr. Joseph K. Hanson of Hanson Memorial Medical Centre referred the young Lisa to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Other residents interviewed complained bitterly about the inconvenience caused them. Hairdressers, shop owners and dress makers said the smoke appear as cloudy pictures as if it was about to rain. Some said the smoke penetrates bedrooms causing darkness and leaving in its wake dark stains.
If not covered, water meant for drinking and for bathing is covered with black particles within seconds. Mr. Shank Okyere, a resident and his family complained about the situation and said if one inadvertently leaned against a wall, the whole body turned black. Not to be left out, fowls in the vicinity all have black feathers.
In a follow up check with Dr. Joseph K. Hanson, Director of Hanson Memorial Medical Centre, he confirmed that a severe smoky environment could cause serious respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer. According to him, acute symptoms of these could kill someone immediately, if not attended to early enough.
For those who eat the hide known as 'Wele', Dr. Hanson said it was unhealthy since no matter how well it is washed, the residual of the chemicals from the burnt tyres will still remain in the hide and be harmful.
The Baiden's have intensified their call on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address their plight but are as yet to receive any response. .
Dr. Hanson remarked that those processing the hide themselves may be dying slowly from lung diseases as they inhale the smoke everyday.
A notable personality living in the area, according to many residents is ace footballer Michael Essien. A resident in his house, Godwin, confirmed what other residents had said. "The effect of the smoke is so intense that, not even the air condition in the living room can stop us from inhaling the poisonous gases".
Due to this, Godwin said he stopped taking hide four years ago when he got to know how the hide was processed.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would not comment on the case until the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) was first contacted since they collect tolls from the people. Off record, an EPA official confirmed that they were aware of the predicament but had warned the persons in the business severally to use gas in processing the hide instead of lorry tyres that pollute the environment.
When AMA was contacted, they denied responsibility for the air pollution going on in the area. According to the Deputy Public Relations Manager, Numo Blafo Akotia Oma Etu III, who is also a Wulomo (priest), of the area in question, as far as the AMA was concerned it did not come under their jurisdiction since it was a stool land.
Numo Blafo also refuted the allegation by EPA officials that AMA collected tolls from the polluters and thus made it difficult for them (EPA) to deal with them drastically.
Meanwhile, as AMA and EPA engage in a blame game, smoke continues to engulf the area for seven hours everyday killing them slowly. Who will stop the Polluters and rescue the residents from this ordeal?
