Zoomlion Ghana has urged residents of the Upper East Region to treat sanitation as a daily responsibility, warning that periodic disinfection and cleanup exercises alone cannot address sanitation-related health risks.
“Sanitation is a continuous thing. It can never be an event,” Zoomlion Upper East Regional Manager Kojo Njabore said.
His comments came as the company undertakes a mass disinfection exercise across more than 15 districts in the region, targeting markets, lorry parks, schools, health facilities, abattoirs and other public spaces.
Mr Njabore said while the exercise is intended to reduce public health risks, its impact would be limited if residents failed to maintain clean homes and surroundings.
“This is just one of the measures,” he said.
He said the timing of the exercise was particularly important as the Upper East Region approaches the peak of the rainy season, when rainfall can carry waste and other contaminants into public spaces.
According to him, the exercise is targeting pathogens associated with cholera, typhoid and malaria, among other diseases.
Mr Njabore said protecting public health and the environment requires collective responsibility, urging residents to regularly clean their surroundings and cooperate with sanitation authorities.
Zoomlion, he said, would continue to assess sanitation and environmental conditions in the region and determine what additional interventions may be required.
He explained that the company’s next intervention may not necessarily involve disinfection but could target other emerging sanitation or environmental challenges.
Mr Njabore also sought to allay concerns about the safety of chemicals being used in the disinfection exercise.
He said the chemicals had been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and were safe when used according to the required standards.
At an abattoir covered by the exercise, Mr Njabore said normal activities could resume about eight hours after spraying.
Zoomlion maintains that while the ongoing exercise could help reduce health risks in public spaces, sustained improvements in sanitation will depend on residents adopting consistent practices to keep their surroundings clean.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
