A severe shortage of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), combined with a lack of resources, is significantly hindering public health and sanitation efforts in the Upper East Region.
The inability to post trained staff has left key sanitation regulations unenforced, resulting in poor waste management and increased public health risks.
An Environmental Health Officer in Bolgatanga, Seidu Sulemana Akurugu, said interference from individuals at various levels often frustrates efforts to abate nuisances, further hindering the few officers currently working.
He noted that there are only 16 fully qualified Environmental Health Officers serving in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
Mr. Akurugu has called on government to provide greater support and funding to Environmental Health departments across the country.
He said shortages in environmental health and hygiene personnel have direct negative impacts on public safety, sanitation standards, and disease control.
“Lack of personnel causes significant gaps in basic sanitation, leading to inadequate waste management and open defecation, which significantly increases the transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid and hepatitis B,” he said.
He added that the shortage of environmental health staff also reduces the speed and effectiveness of community-level responses to sanitation challenges.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
