Mounting sanitation and flooding concerns at the Ho main lorry station have intensified pressure on the Ho Municipal Assembly to undertake urgent drainage rehabilitation works as traders, transport operators and commuters warn of worsening public health risks.
The concerns gained renewed attention during a clean-up exercise organised by the National Youth Authority (NYA) as part of activities marking the 2026 National Youth Month celebration in the Volta Region.
A visit to the lorry station showed that the main drainage channel at the terminal’s exit had become blocked, causing rainwater and wastewater from adjoining sections of the market and transport terminal to accumulate in stagnant pools.
The stagnant water has created foul odour, unsanitary conditions and potential breeding grounds for disease, raising fears among users of the facility.
The Volta Regional Chairman of the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), Isaac Amenyo, blamed the problem on the reconstruction of the lorry station, arguing that a previously functional drainage channel had been covered during construction works and never restored.
“The drain was functioning before the reconstruction of the terminal, but it was covered during construction, and nothing has been done to restore it. Anytime it rains, water from the market and the station flows across the road and settles here,” he said.
Mr Amenyo said repeated complaints had been submitted to the Municipal Assembly and that officials had inspected the site on several occasions, but no corrective work had begun.
He urged the Assembly to redesign the drainage system before the situation deteriorated further.
The Volta Regional Director of the NYA, Yao Semoade, also called for a comprehensive engineering assessment to permanently address the drainage defects.
He stressed the need for regular desilting of gutters and a redesign of sections of the drainage network to improve water flow and prevent flooding.
“We need regular desilting of the gutters to ensure the free flow of water and reduce the unpleasant stench. The Assembly should also redesign sections of the drainage system to prevent flooding and protect the investment made in the facility,” he said.
The Ho Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Lawrence Senya, acknowledged the drainage challenges and said the Assembly was aware of the problem.
He indicated that plans were underway to address the situation and expressed optimism that remedial works would be undertaken within the next few months.
Despite the assurance, traders and transport operators are demanding immediate intervention, warning that heavy rainfall could flood the terminal, disrupt commercial activities and expose thousands of daily users to additional health and safety risks.
The Ho main lorry station is one of the municipality’s busiest transport hubs, and stakeholders say restoring its drainage infrastructure is essential to protecting public health, maintaining sanitation and preserving the facility’s economic importance.
