A scene at the launch of the national exercise
The second phase of the nationwide disinfection and cleaning of markets and lorry stations and other public places was launched yesterday in Accra with a call on metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) to take “personal interest” in the exercise.
Launching the massive exercise at the Independence Square in Accra, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ishmael Ashitey, also urged the MMDCEs to rally their officers, particularly the environmental health workers, to properly engage with their communities, especially market women, for the success of the exercise. Such engagements, he said, would afford them the opportunity to sensitive the communities and monitor the implementation of the exercise.
The 10-day exercise will be undertaken by waste management experts, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, with the support of the military and police as part of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The exercise involves the deployment of drones and other sophisticated gadgets.
The minister said ensuring the cleanliness of the markets and the general environment within their jurisdictions should be the responsibility of the MMDCEs.
He announced that MMDAs in the region would be required to submit a report in respect of the exercise, “using a reporting template” which had already been provided them.
“The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) will coordinate and monitor the entire programme to ensure its success,” he added.
Mr. Ashitey stressed the need for Greater Accra to prioritize the exercise, especially as the region remains the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.
“We can live with Covid-19 without getting infected if we observe the safety protocols that have been outlined for us by the health professionals,” he stressed.
He praised health workers, Zoomlion staff and the police and military for their efforts in the fight against the pandemic.
The General Manager of Zoomlion in the Greater Accra Region, Ernest Morgan Acquah, said the company would be disinfecting about 137 markets in the region alongside lorry parks, public toilets and other public places.
On display at the Independence Square were various disinfection and spraying machines of Zoomlion deployed for the exercise, including mechanical sweepers, Knapsack sprayers and boom atomizers.
Shortly after the launch, Zoomlion Ghana Limited started disinfecting Makola No. 2, Kaneshie, Jufo Gyala, Makola SSNIT and the Agbogbloshie Onion markets.
Also disinfected were the Okaishie, Agbogboloshie Vegetable, Mallam and the Korle Bu markets.
In March, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited and MMDAs, embarked upon a mass disinfection exercise in markets and lorry parks across the country.
A special feature of the second phase is the inclusion of public toilets.
By Melvin Tarlue