Class Media Group, as part of its corporate mandate to promote public welfare and development, has uncovered disturbing sanitation conditions at the Accra-Tema Station, raising concerns about public health, environmental cleanliness and the effectiveness of sanitation enforcement in the area.

Guided by its mantra, “See Something, Say Something,” our  cameras captured drains originally constructed to channel wastewater but now choked with solid waste, plastic materials and other refuse.

The drains were also found to contain human excreta and urine, producing a foul stench that threatens the comfort of commuters, traders, commercial drivers and other people who use the station daily.

The situation has raised questions about the effectiveness of the government’s directive for monthly citywide clean-up exercises, scheduled for the first Saturday of every month.

Although the exercise is intended to improve sanitation and promote environmental cleanliness, the conditions observed at the Accra-Tema Station suggest that maintaining cleanliness in busy commercial areas remains a significant challenge.

Some residents who spoke to Gordon Sackitey but declined to appear on camera, said the monthly clean-up exercise was regularly carried out in the area with personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service also assisting in clearing the drains.

However, they alleged that the improvements were often short-lived as the area reportedly became littered again within a day.

One resident explained that the recurring sanitation problem was undermining the efforts of those who participated in the clean-up exercises.

“They come here to clean the place, and the fire service also helps to clear the gutters. But sometimes, within a day, the place becomes dirty again. It makes you wonder whether the cleaning exercise is achieving its purpose.”

Another resident blamed the situation partly on people who allegedly spend the night at the station and leave refuse behind.

“The problem is not just cleaning the place once in a while. People must also stop dumping rubbish indiscriminately. If we clean the area today and people litter it again at night, the same problem will return.”

The residents called for more sustained sanitation enforcement and measures to prevent the repeated accumulation of refuse.

Beyond indiscriminate waste disposal, the lack of adequate toilet facilities was identified as another major challenge confronting people who work and conduct business at the station.

Residents alleged that the available urinal facility discharges into the same gutter, contributing to the foul smell and worsening the already poor sanitation conditions.

One resident said the absence of adequate facilities make it difficult to maintain proper hygiene in the area.

“There are not enough toilet facilities here for the number of people who come to the station every day. The authorities need to provide proper facilities and ensure that wastewater is disposed of safely.”

The alleged discharge of waste from the urinal into the gutter also raises questions about the adequacy of the drainage and sanitation infrastructure at the transport hub.

The resulting foul odour is a source of concern for people who spend long hours at the station, particularly traders, drivers and head porters who depend on the area for their daily livelihoods.

The residents also recounted a disturbing incident in which a newborn baby was reportedly found abandoned in a gutter in the area recently.

Although the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, the account has added to concerns about public safety and the need for greater attention to conditions at the station.

The reported incident also underscores the importance of ensuring that the area is safe, properly monitored and supported by the necessary public services.

The conditions observed by Class Media Group have placed the spotlight on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and other relevant authorities over their responsibility to maintain sanitation standards and provide adequate public facilities.

The central concern is whether periodic clean-up exercises are being complemented by sustained waste management, effective enforcement against indiscriminate dumping and the provision of functioning public toilets.

Residents say the recurring nature of the problem requires more than occasional interventions.

“Cleaning the gutters is important, but the authorities must also find a lasting solution. We need proper toilet facilities, regular waste collection and enforcement of the sanitation rules,” one resident said.

The situation highlights the need for a coordinated response involving the assembly, sanitation service providers, transport operators, traders and other people who use the station.

While monthly clean-up exercises can help remove accumulated waste, their impact may remain limited if the underlying causes of poor sanitation are not addressed.

Class Media Group is therefore drawing attention to the conditions at the Accra-Tema Station and calling on the relevant authorities to investigate the concerns, improve sanitation infrastructure and ensure that the area remains clean beyond the monthly exercises.

The question remains: What concrete measures is the Accra Metropolitan Assembly taking to address the persistent sanitation problems at the Accra-Tema Station and prevent the area from becoming a dumping ground again after every clean-up exercise?