Three people have been reported dead in the Agona West Municipality following the outbreak of cholera in Agona Swedru and surrounding towns in the Central Region about a week ago.
Of the 200 suspected cases reported, 11 have been confirmed as cholera by officials from the Swedru Municipal Government Hospital.
Mr. Simon Asare, the Agona West Municipal Coordinating Director, made this announcement at a stakeholder meeting in Swedru. He explained that the three deceased individuals were among the 11 confirmed cholera cases, according to reports from the Municipal Health Directorate.
The Assembly has taken swift measures to curb the spread of the disease.
Mr. Asare told the meeting that numerous suspected cholera cases had been reported from Agona Nyakrom, with Agona Nkum identified as an epicenter.
The meeting was attended by chiefs, Assembly members, representatives from the two main political parties—the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)—market women, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media practitioners, and drivers’ unions.
He assured that the Assembly would collaborate with health officials to eliminate the cholera outbreak from the municipality completely.
Mr. Asare, who also serves as the Acting Municipal Chief Executive pending a substantive appointment, stated that the Assembly had engaged water tankers to supply water to Agona Nkum and nearby villages due to the breakdown of the main pipeline from Agona Nyakrom to the town.
The Assembly has pressured the Swedru Office of the Ghana Water Company to expedite the repair work on the damaged pipes to restore water supply to the affected residents.
Mr. Asare also announced that a three-month grace period had been given to the residents of Agona Nyakrom and Agona Nkum to install toilets in every household to ensure environmental cleanliness. He warned that the Assembly would take drastic action against any landlord or landlady who failed to comply with the directive.
He also revealed that a decongestion exercise would soon take place in the Central Business District of Swedru to ensure the free flow of human and vehicular traffic and appealed for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise.
ALSO READ: