A nationwide fumigation exercise by Zoomlion Ghana Limited, targeting hospitals, schools, markets, public toilets and other high-traffic facilities to strengthen environmental sanitation and reduce disease risks has begun in the North East Region.
The waste management giants, in partnership with Municipal and District Assemblies across the North East Region, has intensified efforts to protect public health through a comprehensive fumigation and disinfection exercise targeting critical public facilities and high-traffic areas across the region.
The intervention, which forms part of broader national efforts to improve environmental sanitation and public health, is being implemented across major communities including Walewale, Nalerigu, Gambaga, Bunkprugu, Chereponi, Yagaba-Kubori and Yunyoo-Nansua.
Facilities and public spaces being covered include hospitals, CHPS compounds, market centres, public toilets, schools, government bungalows and lorry parks.
The exercise is designed to help control disease vectors, improve environmental hygiene and reduce conditions that can contribute to the spread of diseases such as cholera, malaria and typhoid.
Speaking on the exercise, the Savannah Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr. Ishmael Ashitey, explained that the intervention forms part of a broader nationwide disinfection and disinfestation initiative being implemented by Zoomlion in collaboration with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
He noted that the exercise in West Gonja was particularly important following the rains and flooding recorded in parts of the municipality in June.
According to him, stagnant water and contaminated environments following flooding can create conditions conducive to the proliferation of insects and other disease vectors, while increasing the risk of water- and sanitation-related diseases.
“The objective is to support the Assembly in protecting residents and reducing environmental health risks that may arise after the floods, particularly the threat of diseases such as cholera,” Mr. Ashitey said.
He added that the exercise would target areas with significant public activity to ensure that the intervention has the greatest possible impact on community health and environmental safety.
Assembly commends the initiative
The Municipal Chief Executive for West Gonja, Hon. Yakubu Yussif Castro, commended Zoomlion Ghana Limited for partnering with the Assembly to undertake the exercise.
He observed that although the impact of the June floods in West Gonja and the wider Savannah Region was relatively minimal compared with some other parts of the country, the rains had left stagnant water in several locations.
He explained that stagnant water could serve as breeding grounds for insects and other disease vectors, potentially exposing residents to health risks.
The MCE therefore welcomed the disinfection and disinfestation exercise, describing it as a timely intervention that would complement the Assembly’s efforts to maintain a safe and healthy environment for residents.
Residents urged to take responsibility for sanitation
Mr. Castro also called on residents of the municipality to take greater responsibility for environmental sanitation and not leave the task entirely to the Municipal Assembly.
He urged residents to adopt responsible sanitation practices, including the proper disposal of solid waste and the effective use of waste containers provided within communities.
He emphasised that maintaining a clean and healthy environment requires the collective effort of the Assembly, private-sector partners, traditional authorities, community leaders and residents.
The Assembly, he said, would continue to engage and educate residents on appropriate sanitation practices while strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders to address environmental health challenges.
Strengthening Public Health Through Partnership
The exercise underscores the importance of collaboration between local authorities and private-sector environmental service providers in responding to public-health risks associated with flooding and poor sanitation.
Through its environmental sanitation and public-health interventions, Zoomlion Ghana Limited continues to support communities across the country by providing practical solutions aimed at improving environmental conditions and protecting public health.
The company believes that sustained disinfection, disinfestation, proper waste management and public education, coupled with responsible community participation, are essential to building cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities.
The West Gonja exercise is therefore expected to contribute to reducing environmental health risks in key public spaces while reinforcing the need for residents to maintain good sanitation practices beyond the intervention.
