A severe sanitation crisis has gripped Kumasi-Alaba, with uncollected refuse piling up in the streets, heightening concerns as Ghana battles an escalating cholera outbreak.
Residents and commuters have raised alarms over the deteriorating conditions, warning of serious health risks as cholera cases continue to rise in the Ashanti Region and other parts of the country.
The worsening filth has been linked to poor waste management, clogged drainage systems, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Videos and photos shared online depict mountains of garbage blocking walkways, with stagnant water pooling around the waste—conditions that provide a breeding ground for bacteria responsible for cholera and other waterborne diseases.
This crisis coincides with an emergency cholera vaccination campaign launched by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ministry of Health in Accra, targeting over 300,000 residents.
The initiative, which began on February 14, is part of urgent efforts to contain the outbreak that has already claimed over 40 lives and infected more than 6,000 people across five regions—Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Ashanti, and Western.
The outbreak, which started in Ada East in October 2024, has since spread rapidly, with densely populated urban centers like Kumasi becoming potential hotspots.
Cholera, a highly infectious bacterial disease, spreads through contaminated food and water, causing severe dehydration, diarrhea, and, in extreme cases, death.
The surge in cases has been attributed to poor sanitation, lack of access to clean drinking water, and unhygienic food handling practices.
Health officials have expressed concerns over the rising number of deaths, with many victims succumbing before reaching medical facilities.
