Some medical waste materials have washed ashore at the Ngelekazo Beach near Beyin in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
The waste includes used syringes, surgical gloves, and other clinical equipment.
The situation has raised public health and environmental concerns among residents, who are calling for immediate action from local authorities and health officials.
Dr. Patrick Ekye Kwesie, Leader of the Western Nzema Youth League (WNYL), speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the presence of medical waste along the beach was not just an environmental issue but also a serious public health threat to the community.
“This issue raises serious questions about the management and disposal of medical waste in our region. Such waste, if not handled properly, can lead to the spread of infectious diseases and pose risks to both human and marine life,” he stated.
Dr. Kwesie called for a comprehensive investigation into the source of the waste and urged authorities to take immediate steps to clear the beach to prevent potential health risks.
Mr. Ishmael Kanga, Safohene of Ngelekazo, also told the GNA, “This beach is a vital part of our community because we rely on it for our livelihoods. Seeing it polluted like this is heartbreaking, and we need the authorities to take action immediately.”
When the GNA contacted the Ellembelle Area office of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Engineer Douglas Arhinkorah Asuako-Ferkah, Acting Area Head, said a team from the Jomoro Municipal Environmental Health Department and the Ghana Maritime Authority at Axim had collaborated to assess the situation for further action.
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