Mallam market stench unbearable

A foul stench emanating from an unauthorised dumpsite at CIMA Market, popularly referred to as Mallam Market, in Accra, is making life in Sakaman and surrounding communities unbearable.

The problem began months ago and has exposed residents, market women and other business people in the Sakaman area to health risks.

In September this year, two people were said to have died of cholera, leading residents to point accusing fingers at J. Stanley Owusu and Company Limited, a waste management company located a few metres away from the market.

The management of the company has, however, denied the accusations, saying it had no hand in the current mess in the market. According to the company, it was also worried about the situation.

Borla taxis

Information gathered by the Daily Graphic indicates that the sanitation situation at Sakaman, particularly in the CIMA Market, began to degenerate when ‘borla taxis’ (tricycles used to cart refuse) operating in the market started dumping waste indiscriminately a few metres away from the market. This was when the main dumpsite at Achimota was shut down.

A trader, Auntie Becky, said the unhealthy practice of dumping waste so close to the market started when the management of the CIMA Market said it was unable to expand the market to accommodate more traders.

Residents’ plea

Residents say the stench from the unauthorised dumpsite was a health risk to the community.

A chop bar operator, Madam Rebecca Koomson, said the stench emanating from the market was hampering her business and that of her neighbours too.

“Most of my customers have stopped patronising my food. They say the smell from the dumpsite is too much to bear,” she said.

According to her, although she has made efforts to get the city authorities to clear the refuse dump, the situation continued to prevail.

J. Stanley Owusu responds

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the General Manager of J. Stanley-Owusu and Co Ltd, Mr Isaac Offeh, stated that the company had nothing to do with the current unpleasant situation in the market.

“It is clear that J. Stanley-Owusu and Co Ltd has no hand in the current mess in the market and we are also worried about the situation brought about by the dumping of waste randomly on the fringes of the market,” he said.

 Mr Offeh said J. Stanley-Owusu and Company Limited was in agreement with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to find ways of addressing the current poor state of affairs in the CIMA market. However, he said no formal contract had been signed by the two institutions.

“We can assure you that when we begin work, all the nuisance will be a thing of the past. The illegal dumpsite will be capped and refuse containers will be placed there. The place will then be fumigated. We also promise that refuse from the market will be lifted regularly,” he said.