Tema: Some business owners in Tema Community One have resumed full operations following the successful repair of blocked and overflowing sewer lines that had disrupted commercial activities in the central business area, especially the Community One market. The sanitation issue, which affected parts of Tema Community One, including Casino, Centre, near the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), and the market, among others, posing health and environmental risks, has now been resolved, restoring cleanliness to the area.
According to Ghana News Agency, traders and business owners in the affected areas experienced a decline in customer traffic due to the unpleasant conditions caused by overflowing sewage. They expressed concerns about potential outbreaks of communicable diseases. However, after an intervention by the Metro Waste Management Department, the problem has been addressed, bringing relief to residents and businesses.
A visit by GNA to the area revealed that locations previously plagued by faeces gushing from sewer chambers had been repaired. The streets, walkways, and market areas were cleaned, showing no traces of the previous spillage. Local traders, shop owners, and residents have expressed their satisfaction with the repair works and have called on the authorities to provide a lasting solution to the community's ageing sewer system.
They noted that the system had undergone many temporary repairs, failing to address the long-term challenges. Constructed during the era of Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the system is no longer suitable for the city's growing population. The outdated sewer lines frequently caused flooding, blockages, and sanitation problems in Tema, necessitating urgent upgrades to prevent health risks and environmental pollution.
Kwame Yeboah, a teacher, emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of the system, stating, "This system was built when Tema had fewer people; now, with more people living and working here, the pipes and drains cannot handle the waste; we need a complete overhaul, not just temporary fixes."
Nana Ama Koranteng, a student nurse, highlighted the potential health risks, saying, "This aging sewer system could be a major health risk; if waste is not effectively managed, it can contaminate water sources and cause outbreaks of disease. The authorities must take this issue seriously."
Mr. Joseph Boateng, a lace materials seller, urged the government to prioritize the issue, stating, "The government should prioritise this issue because it affects our daily lives; as Tema continues to expand, there's the need for improved infrastructure to suit the current demand."