Kwabre East: Asonomaso residents cry out over 60-year-old waste site turned health threat
Residents of Asonomaso in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region are calling on the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Joseph Amankwah, for urgent intervention as a decades-old refuse dumping site in the heart of their community has become a severe public health hazard.
The site, which has existed for over 60 years, has been left unmanaged, producing noxious odors and pollutants that threaten the health and safety of residents.
According to locals, the unbearable stench from the waste site has rendered daily life increasingly difficult, with many residents forced to remain indoors for extended periods.
Those living close to the area say the smell is so overwhelming that normal routines such as cooking outdoors, drying clothes, or even hosting visitors have become nearly impossible.
The situation has created rising tensions between landlords and tenants, with some tenants demanding rent reductions or threatening to vacate due to the unbearable living conditions.
“Our children are always coughing, and adults complain of breathing issues. We feel neglected,” one concerned resident shared her thoughts.
Despite numerous complaints to the Kwabre East Municipal Assembly over the years, residents say no meaningful action has been taken to resolve the issue.
They fear that continued exposure to the hazardous conditions could result in widespread airborne diseases in the community.
Former Assembly Member for the area, Hon. Kwadwo Appiah, expressed disappointment in the authorities’ inaction and urged immediate steps to evacuate and manage the waste site properly.
He stressed that protecting the lives of residents must be prioritized over bureaucracy or delays.
Hon. Appiah further called for long-term waste management solutions and more proactive municipal oversight.
“This is not just an eyesore; it’s a ticking time bomb for public health. The MCE must act now before the situation escalates into a full-blown health crisis,” he warned.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
