A heavy downpour in the early morning of Monday exposed serious sanitation and drainage challenges in Kasseh, the central business hub of the Ada East District, leaving parts of the market polluted with rainwater mixed with waste and homes flooded.
During a visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), it was observed that the refuse containers near the public toilet in the market were overflowing, with uncollected garbage mixing with rainwater and spreading throughout the area.
The resulting scene created a strong stench, posing serious health risks to traders and shoppers.
“The rubbish mixes with rainwater and flows around our stalls. The smell is unbearable,” Madam Ekomesuor, a market woman, said.
Madam Ekomesuor, who has been trading in Kasseh for over six years, added that “this refuse container has always been a problem, especially when it rains.”
Another vendor, Francis, stated that “It’s too close to the toilet, and it’s always full. The Assembly must do something about this.”
Several parts of the Kasseh township were also hit by flooding. Many homes were seen submerged, with residents scooping water from their rooms and drying soaked belongings.
“The water entered our rooms. We’ve been here for years, and it’s always the same story when it rains,” said a resident, adding that “the drains are not working. They are either too small or completely blocked with refuse.”
Residents who have lived in the area for more than half a decade described the situation as “horrible and neglected”.
They called for frequent waste collection, proper desilting of drains, and long-term drainage infrastructure development.
They added that lasting solutions, not just temporary responses, were urgently needed.
As the rainy season continues, both traders and residents fear worsening floods and potential outbreaks of sanitation-related diseases if prompt action is not taken.
Mr Ebenezer Tetteh Kpodo, Assembly Member for Kasseh, noted that the situation was being worked on by the Ada East District Assembly.
Source: GNA
