Zoomlion Ghana Limited, in collaboration with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Northern Region, has commenced a comprehensive disinfection exercise aimed at promoting public health, improving environmental sanitation and protecting communities from sanitation-related health risks.
The exercise, which began in the Tamale Metropolis, forms part of ongoing efforts to maintain clean, safe, and hygienic public spaces across the region. The initiative targets a range of public facilities and high-risk areas, including public toilets, markets, schools, health facilities, open spaces and storm drains.
The disinfection programme is designed to support local authorities in controlling disease-causing microorganisms, insects, pests and other potential public health hazards within heavily used public facilities.
In Tamale, the exercise started with the disinfection of a public toilet at Changli and a storm drain at Koblimahugu. Other facilities earmarked for the exercise include the Tamale Central Market, public toilet facilities at the Savelugu Bus Terminal, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly premises, Dabokpa Technical Institute and Saint Mary’s Vocational School.
Selected health facilities, including public toilet facilities at the Northern Regional Hospital, Tamale West Hospital, Newlife Hospital and Kabsad Scientific Hospital, as well as the Regional Library, are also scheduled to benefit from the exercise.
Speaking on the exercise, the Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Dr. Peter Dawuni, said the initiative forms part of the company’s commitment to supporting communities and local authorities in maintaining healthy and hygienic environments.
He explained that effective disinfection was important in reducing the presence of disease vectors and harmful microorganisms, particularly in areas with high human activity and where sanitation conditions could pose risks to public health.
Dr. Dawuni further indicated that the facilities and locations selected for the exercise were identified in consultation with the respective MMDAs, based on prevailing sanitation and public health needs.
He also urged residents and facility users to cooperate with the exercise by staying away from treated areas immediately after spraying. Members of the public were advised to allow approximately 30 minutes to one hour after treatment before re-entering disinfected areas, to allow the chemicals to work effectively and minimise the risk of unnecessary exposure.
One of the key areas receiving attention is the Koblimahugu storm drain, where the disinfection exercise was undertaken in response to a recent public health concern.
According to an Environmental Health Officer at the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Madam Vivian Bazigha, the Assembly was supervising the exercise within the metropolis. She explained that the storm drain became a concern following the discovery of a deceased person whose remains were believed to have been in the water for several days.
The subsequent movement of water through the drainage system raised concerns about possible contamination and the potential spread of microorganisms. The disinfection exercise was therefore deemed necessary as a precautionary public health intervention.
Residents welcomed the intervention and expressed appreciation to Zoomlion and the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly for responding to sanitation and public health concerns within the community.
A resident of Koblimahugu, Mohammed Wumpini, commended the organisations for undertaking the exercise and appealed to the Assembly to complement the disinfection programme with regular desilting of storm drains. He noted that maintaining clear and functional drains would help improve water flow and reduce the accumulation of waste and other materials that could create environmental and public health challenges.
The exercise demonstrates the importance of collaboration between private-sector service providers, local authorities and communities in addressing environmental sanitation challenges.
For Zoomlion, the initiative reinforces its longstanding commitment to supporting sustainable sanitation, environmental health and community wellbeing. The company continued to encourage residents, businesses, institutions and local authorities to play their part in maintaining clean surroundings, using public sanitation facilities responsibly and preventing activities that could compromise environmental health.