Western Region: 14 MMDAs, public places ready for disinfection exercise
One hundred and seventeen markets in 14 Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies in the Western Region are set for a national disinfection exercise spearheaded by Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
The exercise which starts Monday 6th April, 2020, has the cooperation of all stakeholders in the 14 MMDAs.
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Chemical application
The national exercise which is in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana is aimed at containing and preventing a further spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease.
Speaking at the regional launch, the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah assured traders and the public that the chemical being used is not dangerous to human health and that they should not panic.
“The chemical is the same chlorine commonly used as an antiseptic and is used to make drinking water safe and to treat swimming pools. Here we are applying large amounts of chlorine as used in many industrial processes for the ongoing disinfection”, he said.
14-MMDAs
Places to be disinfected include all public places especially major markets and lorry parks in the jurisdiction of all the 14 MMDAs.
Mr. Darko-Mensah said, “Other regions have had their turn of the exercise which is being undertaken by the sector ministry in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana, a wholly-owned Ghanaian private waste management company, with support from all of us at Regional Coordinating Councils.”
Aside the RCC, he said the role of the assemblies remained critical to ensure the success of the exercise, saying “all activities by Zoomlion workers at the local level must be monitored and coordinated by the assemblies and assistance provided where necessary.”
Regional activities
Prior to the exercise, he said the region already has a number of activities that being implemented by the WRCC to aid the combat against COVID-19, including the reactivation of joint operation centres to coordinate, monitor and enforce the presidential directives on COVID-19.
“We also reactivated the regional public health and emergency rapid response team and all the 14 districts have teams in place, as well as the launch of regional public education and sensitization on COVID-19.”
Holding centres
In its readiness for the unlikely outbreak of the disease in the region, he said a number of isolation centers have been identified at Takoradi Hospital, Kwesimintsim Hospital, Essikado Hospital and Sycamore Hospital to handle suspected cases.
“We also have in place a 24/7 screening of all passengers to the Western region at Badukrom and other entry points by health officials with support from security operatives,” he said.
These measures, he said, have yielded dividend, as the region was yet to record any positive case. “I must say samples of all suspected cases sent to Noguchi for testing have turned out negative.”
Social distancing
He urged traders in the market and transport operators to adhere to the social distancing and hygiene protocols at the markets, saying “I believe with all of us supporting the government and also with our full co-operation this deadly disease would be defeated sooner than later.
The Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana, Alhaji Abdulai Abdallah, expressed his company’s commitment to the fight against the pandemic to ensure that the country emerged stronger and healthier and that Zoomlion is ready for the exercise.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Anthony K.K. Sam commended the team and said that the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and other municipalities and districts are ready for the exercise.