By Staff Reporter
Wa, Upper West Region – The Wa Metropolitan Assembly has sealed a public toilet facility at Wapaani after uncovering what officials described as a serious environmental and public health violation involving the discharge of untreated fecal waste directly into a major drainage channel within the municipality.
The action was taken on Friday following investigations that revealed the facility had been releasing raw sewage into the main drainage gutter stretching from the L-Sawmill area to the newly constructed MTN drainage system, creating significant sanitation risks for residents, pedestrians, and businesses along the route.
According to officials of the Assembly, the illegal discharge had resulted in fecal waste flowing openly through nearby streets from L-Sawmill towards the MTN office, contaminating the environment and undermining efforts to improve sanitation within the metropolis.
The Assembly’s intervention follows a formal complaint lodged by MTN Ghana, which raised concerns over the impact of the sewage discharge on its recently completed U-shaped drainage infrastructure. The telecommunications company indicated that the continued contamination was damaging the drainage system and threatening ongoing expansion works in the area.
In response, Assembly authorities moved swiftly to shut down and seal the facility to halt further pollution and protect public health.
Officials stressed that the Assembly would not tolerate actions that compromise environmental sanitation or damage public infrastructure. They noted that the closure forms part of broader efforts to enforce sanitation regulations and ensure compliance among operators of public facilities across the metropolis.
“The discharge of untreated waste into public drains poses a serious threat to public health and the environment. Such practices will not be allowed to continue,” an Assembly official stated.
The Assembly has also announced plans to intensify inspections and monitoring of sanitation facilities throughout the Wa Metropolis to identify and address similar violations before they escalate.
Residents and environmental advocates have welcomed the move, describing it as a timely intervention that demonstrates the Assembly’s commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy urban environment.
The incident has once again highlighted the need for strict adherence to sanitation standards and responsible waste management practices as Wa continues to expand its infrastructure and urban development projects.
