- Medical waste washes ashore at Ngelekazo Beach
- Residents raise health and environmental concerns
- Authorities vow to investigate and clear the beach
Medical waste materials, including used syringes, surgical gloves, and other clinical equipment, have been discovered washed ashore at Ngelekazo Beach near Beyin in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
The situation has sparked serious public health and environmental concerns among local residents, who are calling for urgent intervention from local authorities and health officials.
Dr. Patrick Ekye Kwesie, the Leader of the Western Nzema Youth League (WNYL), spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) about the gravity of the issue. He emphasized that the presence of medical waste along the beach was not only an environmental problem but also a significant public health threat to the community. “This issue raises serious questions about the management and disposal of medical waste in our region. Such waste, if not handled properly, can lead to the spread of infectious diseases and pose risks to both human and marine life,” Dr. Kwesie warned.
He further called for a comprehensive investigation into the source of the medical waste and urged authorities to take swift action to clear the beach and mitigate potential health risks.
Mr. Ishmael Kanga, the Safohene of Ngelekazo, also expressed his concerns to the GNA. “This beach is a vital part of our community because we rely on it for our livelihoods. Seeing it polluted like this is heartbreaking, and we need the authorities to take action immediately,” he said.
In response to the situation, the Ghana News Agency reached out to the Ellembelle Area office of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Engineer Douglas Arhinkorah Asuako-Ferkah, the Acting Area Head, confirmed that a team from the Jomoro Municipal Environmental Health Department and the Ghana Maritime Authority at Axim had been dispatched to assess the situation and take the necessary steps for further action.
