Zoomlion disinfects public spaces across Upper East

Zoomlion Ghana has commenced a mass disinfection exercise across more than 15 districts in the Upper East Region as the peak rainy season raises concerns over the spread of waterborne and other infectious diseases.

The exercise is targeting public spaces including markets, lorry parks, schools, health facilities, abattoirs and other public infrastructure where large numbers of people converge.

The intervention is aimed at reducing disease-causing pathogens that may spread through contaminated water, waste and unhygienic public spaces during the rainy season.

Upper East Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana, Kojo Njabore, said heavy rainfall often carries debris and contaminants into public spaces, creating potential health risks.

“When it rains, the water carries a whole lot of debris that contaminates public health, public infrastructure and most of the public places,” he said.

According to him, the exercise is targeting pathogens associated with diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria.

The intervention comes at a time when heavy rainfall, flooding, stagnant water and poor sanitation can heighten public health risks in northern Ghana.

Mr Njabore said frequently used public spaces were being prioritised because contamination in such locations could expose large numbers of people to infections.

He also assured traders, butchers and other users of the facilities that the chemicals being used for the exercise had been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“These are EPA-approved chemicals that we are using,” he said.

At the abattoir, one of the facilities covered by the exercise, Mr Njabore explained that normal activities could resume approximately eight hours after disinfection, in line with the recommended waiting period.

He, however, stressed that the disinfection exercise should not be viewed as a substitute for proper sanitation practices.

“Sanitation is a continuous thing. It can never be an event,” he said.

Mr Njabore urged residents, traders and managers of public facilities to take responsibility for maintaining clean surroundings and observing proper waste management practices.

He said Zoomlion was also considering another intervention later in the year, although the nature and scope of that exercise would depend on the environmental and public health challenges identified at the time.