Residents of Ayeduase New Site near Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, suffer cholera on a daily basis as they battle with the effect of faeces in open drains.

A trip to the site by the Ashanti Regional Sanitation Taskforce, inaugurated by the Chief Executive, Hon Osei AssibeyAntwi, revealed residents are battling with stomach aches alongside some other ailments due to faeces left in open drains that link to the source of drinking water for the residents.

The residents who no longer can stand the situation are depending on bags of sachet water which according to them is having a toll on their finances.

A visit to the area by the Regional Sanitation Task Force revealed three hostels within the vicinity are responsible for the discharge of faeces into the open drains.

These hostels had deliberately directed their faecal drains into the open which is greatly affecting the health of the residents negatively.

Ceasar’s Palace, SAAB and Afranie Hostels are the culprits endangering the lives of these residents.

Upon the visit by the team which seeks to fight bad sanitation practices, efforts were made as a first step to stopping the menace. The enforcement team at the scene sealed some of the pipe outlets with concrete so as to save the residents the danger of getting affected the more.

Apart from the pollution of the source of water available, residents have to cope with the bad smell that emanates from the drains especially in the nights.

“We are suffering seriously. All we breath is the stench from the drains. Sometimes, my family would have to move out because the smell in the rooms will be too much to sleep in”, a frustrated resident revealed.

As bad as it is too, the same polluted water is used to wet vegetables been cultivated in the area. Unsuspecting consumers purchase and consume these vegetables despite the danger they pose to these consumers.

Meanwhile, notices of legal action have been served the landlords of the various hostels.

Source: Lily Ampofoa Prekoh/Oforikro Municipal Assembly