Ghana: Community exposed to environmental risk

  1. Posted on Wednesday 10 August 2011 - 10:40
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    Kofi Adu Domfeh, AfricaNews reporter in Kumasi, Ghana
    Residents of Ohwim-Amanfrom near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana are protesting the siting and operations of a factory in the area. According to them, paper manufacturer, T &Y Company, is polluting their environment which exposes them to health risk and also destroying aquatic life.
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    The Chinese factory started operating in the community about two years ago. The company recycles plastic waste and produces toilet rolls and other plastic products.

    Residents of Ohwim and Amanfrom, however, say locating the factory in a residential area is an affront to their dignity. They are not enthused about the environmental record of this company.

    Some are reporting respiratory infections and other complicated medical conditions, while others have had to relocate in order to escape what they see as ‘poisonous smoke’ from the chimney of the company.

    A woman who pleaded anonymity said she was diagnosed of asthma about a year ago, and her condition has been traced to the continuous inhale of smoke from the factory’s chimney.

    The community also accuses the company of discharging waste materials into a nearby river, which has killed all the aquatic life in the water body.

    A supervisor at the factory acknowledged the concerns raised by the residents, but says the company installed new equipment early this year to reduce smoke emission.

    Though he admits release of thick smoke into the atmosphere early morning daily, he insisted there are no harmful substances.

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it has yet to issue a full-certification for the factory because the area has not properly schemed by the Town and Country Planning.

    Ashanti Regional Director, Isaac Osei, however said his outfit will take the matter up as soon as possible to protect the well-being of the community.

    A spokesperson for the residents, Sam Kotei, wants the EPA to make good a promise to ensure the factory operate within the law.

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