Flood Debris And Waste Linger In Alajo Despite President Mahama’s Assurance

Days after the government’s two-day nationwide clean-up exercise, heaps of refuse, silt and flood debris still line streets and sit in front of homes in Alajo.  

The exercise was ordered by President John Dramani Mahama following the devastating floods of June 29. Its aim was to restore sanitation and reduce the risk of further flooding.  

During his visit to Alajo on both days, the President assured residents that all the waste gathered would be cleared by refuse trucks. But that promise is yet to be fulfilled.

A visit to the community reveals several piles of refuse remain where they were gathered during the clean-up exercise, alongside mud, silt and household items destroyed by the floods.

Some homes are still surrounded by debris, while the foul smell from the uncollected waste continues to hang over parts of the community.

With no immediate collection in sight, some residents have started burning the rubbish in front of their homes, raising concerns about air pollution and possible health risks.

Others have pushed the waste closer to drains, fearing it could be washed back into the waterways when the rains return and undo the gains made during the clean-up.

The situation has renewed concerns over sanitation in one of Accra’s flood-prone communities, leaving residents divided over how to address the problem.

While some blame the Municipal Assembly for the neglect, pointing out that sanitation officials only collected waste along the main road and ignored inner areas, others argue that residents must take responsibility.

“Some of them came but they only came to collect the refuse close to the main road but neglected those of us in the inner parts of the community,” a resident told 3Music TV.