A region-wide disinfection and fumigation exercise has begun in the Volta Region to contain potential health threats left behind by the June floods.
The initiative, led by Zoomlion Ghana Limited in collaboration with the Environmental Health Units of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the Ho Municipal Assembly, is targeting public spaces and communities affected by the floods.
The exercise commenced at the Ho Market on Wednesday and is expected to continue across all 18 districts and municipalities in the region until September 9.
Authorities say the intervention is intended to prevent post-flood outbreaks of diseases by tackling contaminated environments, stagnant water, pests and other disease vectors that may have proliferated following the floods.
Volta Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Emmanuel Amemakalor, said the floods had created environmental conditions capable of increasing public health risks.
He explained that floodwaters could contaminate water sources, food, drains and public spaces, while stagnant water could provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The floods could also force rats, snakes and other pests from their natural habitats into populated areas, he said.
According to Mr Amemakalor, markets are being prioritised because of their role in the sale and distribution of food to households.
The exercise will cover markets, lorry parks, transport terminals, public toilets, schools, public facilities, refuse dumps and other locations affected by the floods.
“We started the exercise in Ho, but it will spread across all the 18 districts in the Volta Region,” he said.
The Regional Environmental Health Officer, Stella Kumedzro, said some areas, including Anloga, South Tongu, Keta and parts of Ketu North, suffered significant effects from the floods.
Although the impact on Ho Municipality was comparatively limited, she said floodwaters affected homes, schools, markets and some health facilities in other parts of the region.
Ms Kumedzro warned that floodwaters could transport faecal matter, refuse, animal carcasses and other contaminants into communities, increasing the risk of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.
She added that stagnant water could encourage mosquito breeding, while decomposing waste and animal remains could attract houseflies and other disease-carrying organisms.
The environmental health officer also cautioned that displaced snakes, scorpions and other potentially dangerous animals could pose additional risks to residents in affected communities.
She described the fumigation exercise as a timely preventive measure to avert possible public health emergencies following the floods.
“We must commend Zoomlion for this initiative. It is an important intervention to avert any imminent public health danger because these vectors and pests can pose serious risks to public health,” she said.
Mr Amemakalor also urged residents to support flood prevention efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and keeping drains free from refuse.
He warned that indiscriminate dumping could choke drainage systems and worsen flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
The exercise is expected to complement other sanitation and environmental health measures aimed at restoring affected communities and reducing the risk of post-flood disease outbreaks across the Volta Region.
