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AMA ‘de-rats’ major markets in Accra
A staff of AMA spraying the market
As part of measures to control rodent infestation in some major markets in the capital city, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has conducted a ‘de-ratting exercise’ to ensure a safer and healthier environment.
The exercise was conducted at the 31st December Market, Agbogbloshie and Makola No 2. markets.
Speaking to the Spectator in Accra, the Head of Public Affairs of the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah said some of the health risk associated with rodent infested markets were food contamination, leptospirosis (a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals), hantavirus (a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause varied disease syndromes in people) and allergies.
He said rodents also gnaw on structures, wiring, and packaging materials, potentially causing damage to buildings and creating fire hazards if they chew on electrical wiring,” he added.
According to Mr Ankrah, rodent were highly adaptable creatures that often carry bait to their nests located far from where they originally encounter it and making it challenging to control their population effectively, hence the use of the systemic and gradual killing,” Mr Ankrah said.
He said before the operation, Public Health Officers conducted a comprehensive assessment of each market to identify rat-infested areas, entry points, and potential breeding grounds, adding that despite awareness campaigns, achieving universal compliance with hygiene practices among vendors proved challenging.
He pointed out that the assembly, as part of measures to address factors that may cause the increase in rodent population in the market, had established a routine de-ratting schedule to prevent infestation and was redeveloping the markets to eliminate entry points for rats.
He added that the assembly was educating traders on proper waste disposal and hygiene practices, emphasising that the success of the initiative does not only hinge on the efficacy of the gradual poisoning method, but on the collaborative efforts of the community.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
The Ghana First Alliance, a movement, is today staging a protest in Accra against the renewal of the mining licence of Gold Fields, a mining company owned by a South African citizen operating in Ghana.
The demonstration, dubbed “Operation No Contract Renewal: South Africa Must Go,” is being held to demand that government does not renew the company’s licence.
The group says their protest is linked to recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa by a protest group known as “march to march.”
They claim that many Ghanaian-owned shops were looted, while others were attacked, with some cases leading to deaths.
They also say the situation forced the Ghana government to evacuate thousands of Ghanaians from South Africa back to Ghana.
Speaking to some of the protesters, they said they will move to several key locations in Accra, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Jubilee House, where they intend to present their petition.
The protesters are calling on government to terminate the Gold Fields contract and hand over the mining concessions to capable Ghanaians to manage.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
