Ashanti region: Traders worried as filth engulfed some major markets in Kumasi.

Gradually, KMA is losing the fight against poor sanitation as filth has engulfed almost every corner of the Central Business District of the Metropolis.

Piles of refuse according to some traders in the CBD of Kumasi have become a common sight at the Kejetia market, Central Market among other places.

some residents have stressed that the current pile of refuse at different locations in the CBD had been there for close to a week, hampering trading activities.

They blamed officials of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) for failing to come out with concrete measures to deal with the poor sanitary conditions in the area. They say, the situation had been persistent over the years and called on authorities to solve the problem as it had inconvenienced them as well as customers.

Madam Grace Osei, a food vendor, admitted that the foul smell from choked drains was a threat to their health, but said she had no option since she had to make ends meet.

A trader, Mr Kwadwo Nyarko, expressed concern about the deteriorating condition at the Central Business Center and called for immediate action to address the situation. He described the environment as heavily polluted, saying, “we live in a poor environment, we eat from poorly prepared food, we inhale from polluted air, and our lives are at risk.”

Scores of traders, drivers, and passengers appealed to the Metropolitan Assembly to dispose of waste bins and more often carry out consistent health education and engagement to enhance good health practices.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuell Pyne recently led a team from the metro sanitation department and some traders to embark on a massive clean-up exercise in the central business district.

Mr Pyne speaking during the exercise urged the traders to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse and rather, keep their surroundings clean.

This has, however, fallen on deaf ears since the traders had not only taken over the pedestrian walkways, but also the pavements and shoulders of the road for brisk business.

Though Mr Pyne had promised to institute stringent measures to ensure that the central business district was clean at all times, residents are yet to see the implementation of the measures.