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Zoomlion Ghana Limited has commenced a nationwide emergency fumigation and disinfection campaign aimed at preventing disease outbreaks in flood-affected communities across the country.
The exercise, which began on June 22, 2026, is initially focused on parts of the Weija-Gbawe Municipality, Ablekuma North Municipality and the McCarthy Hill area, where recent flooding has left behind significant sanitation challenges, including accumulated waste, sewage, faecal matter and other contaminants.
Speaking to journalists during the operation, Dr. Gideon Sogbey said the initiative forms part of a broader national effort to improve water, sanitation and hygiene standards while strengthening public health protection in vulnerable communities.
He explained that although the intervention has started in Greater Accra, similar exercises are planned for flood-prone communities in other regions across the country.
Dr. Sogbey stressed that the operation is intended to prevent disease outbreaks before they occur, particularly those associated with flooding and poor sanitation.
According to him, floodwaters often carry sewage, waste and other harmful pollutants that increase the risk of waterborne and communicable diseases, including cholera.
A key focus of the exercise is the treatment of waste disposal sites and dumping grounds that have become breeding areas for flies and other disease vectors. One of the targeted locations is the Oblogo final disposal site, where teams have undertaken disinfection measures to reduce housefly populations and eliminate harmful pathogens, including Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for cholera.
Dr. Sogbey expressed concern over leachate from the disposal site flowing into the Densu River, noting that many nearby communities rely on the river as a source of water. He also observed fishing activities along the river, highlighting the potential public health risks if contamination is left unchecked.
He warned that flies originating from waste sites can easily spread contaminants to homes, markets and food sources, increasing the likelihood of disease transmission if swift interventions are not undertaken.
The operation will also cover the McCarthy Hill disposal site, where additional sanitation measures will be implemented to address environmental concerns linked to waste disposal activities.
Beyond the immediate response, Dr. Sogbey called for long-term investments in sanitation infrastructure, including properly engineered landfill facilities, improved waste transportation systems and the establishment of transfer stations in rapidly growing municipalities.
He urged the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and other stakeholders to prioritise sustainable waste management solutions to prevent recurring flooding, environmental contamination and disease outbreaks.
The latest intervention reinforces Zoomlion’s role in public health emergency response and environmental sanitation, building on its experience in waste management and disease-control operations across Ghana and several other African countries.
Source: citinews
