EVACUATION OF REFUSE IN PARTS OF KUMASI
As part of ongoing efforts to improve sanitation across the Kumasi Metropolis, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has undertaken a targeted refuse evacuation exercise in selected communities, including Ohwim, Asem, and other affected areas. The exercise forms part of broader interventions aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness, public health, and community safety.
The evacuation was necessitated by persistent indiscriminate dumping at unauthorized locations, largely resulting from increased human activities within surrounding residential and commercial communities. These practices led to the accumulation of refuse at open sites, creating unsanitary conditions and environmental risks. Upon receiving reports on the situation, management of KMA directed the immediate evacuation of refuse as a corrective measure.
One of the immediate effects of the exercise has been a visible improvement in sanitation conditions within the affected areas. The removal of refuse has reduced public health risks, improved environmental aesthetics, and discouraged further indiscriminate dumping. The intervention underscores KMA’s commitment to proactive sanitation management.
In areas around the airport, the accumulation of refuse, driven mainly by activities from nearby communities, had attracted birds, particularly crows, due to improper waste disposal. The presence of these birds poses a safety concern, as bird activity and aircraft operations do not coexist safely. The ongoing refuse evacuation is therefore aimed at continuously reducing bird attraction, improving sanitation conditions, and mitigating associated safety risks. KMA remains committed to sustaining the exercise until acceptable sanitation standards are fully restored.
To sustain the gains made, residents of the Asem Electoral Area are encouraged to make proper use of the newly provided refuse containers, following the evacuation of the former sanitary site. Additionally, the people of Ohwim are to be provided with new refuse containers to support effective waste disposal. Residents are therefore urged to dump refuse only at designated points.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly calls on all residents to support these sanitation efforts by adopting responsible waste disposal practices. Cleanliness is a shared responsibility, and collective commitment is essential to maintaining a healthy and safe environment. Through cooperation and civic responsibility, Kumasi can be kept clean, orderly, and safe for all.