In the heart of Kasoa, located in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of Ghana’s Central Region, a growing sanitation emergency is triggering alarm bells.
With worsening waste conditions and a haunting memory of a recent cholera outbreak, residents are pleading for immediate and lasting solutions. The focus keyword—Awutu Senya East sanitation crisis—is central to the community’s outcry.
Bold voices from the streets, markets, and transport terminals paint a grim picture of a city overwhelmed by garbage, foul odours, and unsafe living conditions. Amid this decay, the threat of disease is no longer hypothetical—it’s real, immediate, and potentially fatal.
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The Central Business District (CBD) of Kasoa is now drowning in piles of uncollected waste. From road curbs to bus terminals, heaps of garbage stand like grotesque monuments to neglect. The most affected areas—the new market and the old market—are choked with refuse, emitting unbearable odours that disrupt business activities and pose health hazards.
Residents and traders navigating the CBD daily are being subjected to dangerous environmental conditions. This neglect directly contributes to the growing Awutu Senya East sanitation crisis, with its potential to evolve into a full-blown epidemic.
At the heart of this sanitation emergency, transport operators and traders have turned to the media to express their frustrations. A recent report by Channel One News captured the agony of these individuals.
“We are suffering, there’s an awful stench here. They deposit the refuse here at night. The refuse here includes human excreta, and we are inhaling all these,”
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This chilling testimony highlights the daily reality faced by many in Kasoa. The Awutu Senya East sanitation crisis isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a humanitarian concern that requires urgent attention.
Public Health in Danger: The Shadow of Cholera Returns
In 2024, a cholera outbreak swept through this same municipality, killing eight people and infecting many others. That outbreak was attributed in large part to poor sanitation, particularly improper waste disposal and exposure to contaminated water sources. Residents now fear history may repeat itself.
The conditions for a new outbreak are already in place:
- Stagnant waste accumulating in public areas
- Inadequate drainage and overflowing gutters
- Lack of covered bins or effective collection schedules
If not addressed, this worsening Awutu Senya East sanitation crisis could lead to another tragic wave of infections.
A Call for Modern Solutions and Innovation
Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunnor, the Member of Parliament for the area, has stepped forward to advocate for technologically advanced waste management solutions. She believes that adopting modern recycling and waste-to-energy technologies can convert trash into value, helping both the environment and the local economy.
“We are hoping for new technologies that will come on board… at the end of the day, they sell it to companies for recycling,” she said.
Her statement underscores the need for sustainable innovation to tackle the Awutu Senya East sanitation crisis. Recycling and waste-to-energy practices can turn a municipal liability into a municipal asset.
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Seth Sabah Serwonoo-Banini, Municipal Chief Executive of Kasoa, acknowledged the concerns and announced plans to locate dedicated waste collection sites. These areas will serve as permanent zones where refuse can be deposited, processed, and managed effectively.
“We have started searching for places that we can acquire to keep our containers…”
While this initiative is still in early stages, it’s a step toward a structured approach to solving the Awutu Senya East sanitation crisis.
The problem in Kasoa is layered and complex. The Awutu Senya East sanitation crisis stems from several compounding factors:
- Rapid urbanization has led to overcrowding with limited waste disposal facilities.
- Inconsistent waste collection schedules make garbage disposal unpredictable.
- Insufficient funding and poor planning have stalled infrastructure development.
- Public apathy and improper disposal practices also contribute to the problem.
To eliminate the risk of cholera and other communicable diseases, these root causes must be addressed directly and permanently.
The Economic Impact of the Sanitation Crisis
The Awutu Senya East sanitation crisis isn’t just a public health disaster—it’s an economic one.
Businesses are losing customers due to foul smells and dirty surroundings. Transport operators face declining patronage as their terminals turn into garbage zones. Investors are beginning to see the area as unattractive, limiting job creation and development.
Sanitation, therefore, is not only a social service; it is a critical component of economic infrastructure.
