The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has initiated measures aimed at preventing the outbreak of cholera in the city.
The measures are centred on two principles: Hand-washing with soap and desilting drains in the city of solid waste.
It is the belief of the assembly that if the measures are implemented successfully, the cholera disease could be eliminated from the metropolis.
In addition to the two measures, the assembly has also introduced a Rapid Response Initiative squad who would do cleaning in the night to ensure that the Central Business District is kept clean after the day’s business activities. The members would also be deployed to clean the streets and go on a door-to-door exercise to educate communities and market women on cleanliness.
Mr Don Awantungu, Head of Environmental Health Department of the KMA, who read a speech on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the KMA, Mr Kojo Bonsu, at the launch of a cholera sensitisation programme in Kuamsi last Saturday, said the assembly was working hard to reduce the incidence of cholera in the metropolis.
He said recorded cases of cholera in health establishments in the city were travellers who had come from other places to Kumasi.
“But that does not mean we should be complacent,” he said.
He said diarrhoea-related diseases could affect anybody; as such, there was the need to intensify education on personal and environmental hygiene practices.
An assembly member, Henry Osei Akoto, distributed Aquatab drugs, a donation from USAID, free of charge to the gathering at the launch of the sensitisation programme.
