Markets, lorry parks in Upper East disinfected

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MOLGRD), in partnership with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, last Saturday conducted the second phase of the nationwide disinfection exercise in the Upper East Region.

Public toilets, markets, slaughter houses, lorry parks, business centres and other key public places where the public gather to socialise were disinfected and fumigated in the 15 municipalities and districts in the region.

A clean-up campaign was also organised as part of the exercise.


A COVID-19 task force formed from the Ghana Police Service and other security services were also in attendance to help ensure the smooth conduct of the exercise.

The exercise formed part of government’s coordinated efforts in fighting the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Co-operation

Speaking to journalists during the exercise in Bolgatanga, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Joseph Amiyuure, commended the market women and other traders for cooperating with the team for the exercise to take place on a market day.

He noted that normally, a typical market day was a peak period for most traders to do brisk business, but they closed their shops to allow the exercise to take off smoothly.

He, however, reminded residents to continue to protect themselves by observing the relevant health protocols, including wearing of nose masks and ensuring physical distancing, particularly at the marketplaces.

Mr Amiyuure was of the view that the combined efforts of disinfection and adhering to health protocols would ultimately reduce the spread of the virus.

Attitudinal change

The Upper East Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr John Sackey, revealed that 280 spraying machines were deployed to disinfect markets in the region, while drones, atomisers, fogger machines and mixed blowers were used to make the exercise more effective.

He advised residents to take sanitation issues seriously, saying studies had shown that sanitation-related diseases contributed to about 70 per cent of outpatient attendance in health facilities.

Mr Sackey called for attitudinal change to reduce the spread of COVID-19, saying the same change was needed in maintaining a clean environment in the region.

Waste bins

Touching on the distribution of waste bins in the municipality to help manage waste, Mr Sackey observed that the rate of distribution was only at 40 per cent because some residents thought that collection and disposal of waste by Zoomlion must be free.

“In a system called the polluter pay system, it is the one who generates the refuse that must pay for its disposal and not the other way round," he said.