Kumasi: Sofoline interchange 'underpass' turns into public toilet, refuse dump

Residents and commuters using the underpass of the Sofoline Interchange in the Kwadaso Municipality of the Ashanti Region are sounding the alarm over worsening sanitation and safety conditions in the area.

They describe the space beneath the interchange as a growing hub of filth, neglect, and lawlessness. According to concerned citizens, the area has become a dumping ground for refuse, with piles of waste accumulating daily and creating an unbearable stench.

People also report that the location is being misused as an open defecation site, further aggravating public health risks.

“The strong smell emanating from the refuse and other activities makes the place unbearable for us when we walk through daily,” a passerby said.

During interviews with the reporter, several commuters expressed fears for their safety, especially at night, when the underpass is allegedly occupied by drug users.

They noted that the lack of proper lighting and security presence makes the area unsafe for pedestrians, many of whom are forced to avoid the space entirely after dark.

To make matters worse, residents say the area is prone to flooding during rainfall, leaving it waterlogged and hazardous. Overgrown weeds have also taken over the surroundings, giving it an abandoned and unkempt appearance.

“We are calling on the authorities to take urgent action to clean up and maintain the area, install proper sanitation facilities, and ensure safety for all who use the interchange daily,” they appealed to the municipal assembly.

Residents say unless swift action is taken, the area risks becoming a full-blown public health and safety crisis.