The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has presented public health and sanitation logistics to the Metro Public Health Department of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to strengthen the enforcement of environmental health and food safety by-laws following the recent floods in parts of the metropolis.
The presentation, made on Thursday, forms part of the Assembly’s post-flood response measures aimed at protecting public health, intensifying surveillance, and preventing flood-contaminated food items from finding their way into markets for public consumption.
The items presented included 1,000 body bags, 500 blankets, 50 packets of N95 nose masks, 100 surgical masks, 50 surgical gloves, 50 gynaecological gloves, 100 utility gloves, 40 pairs of Wellington boots, four knapsack sprayers, two mist blowers, and two containers of chloride-chlorine granules.
Presenting the items, Mr. Allotey said the aftermath of the floods required robust public health interventions, particularly in communities where shops, warehouses, markets, and food vending points had been inundated by floodwaters.
He explained that the logistics would enhance the operational capacity of Environmental Health Officers, popularly known as “Tankas,” to inspect affected areas, enforce the Assembly’s sanitation and food safety by-laws, disinfect contaminated locations, and prevent unsafe food products from being sold to the public.
The Mayor cautioned that floodwaters often carry sewage, chemicals, waste, and other hazardous substances, making any food exposed to such conditions unsafe for human consumption.
He announced that the Assembly would intensify inspections in markets and commercial centres to identify and remove contaminated food items, adding that individuals who violate food safety and sanitation regulations would face the full rigours of the law.
Mr. Allotey also urged traders, shop owners, and residents whose goods had been affected by the floods to cooperate with Environmental Health Officers and refrain from selling or distributing products that had come into contact with floodwater.
According to him, the Assembly’s post-flood interventions would extend beyond clean-up exercises to include sustained public education, inspections of food premises, disinfection activities, and strict enforcement of public health regulations in affected communities.
He further appealed to residents to report anyone suspected of drying, repackaging, storing, or selling flood-contaminated food items, stressing that community vigilance would play a vital role in protecting public health.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Metro Public Health Department, Mr. George Lawson expressed appreciation to the Mayor, noting that the logistics would significantly improve the department’s field operations, particularly in flood-affected communities.
He said the equipment would be deployed to intensify food safety inspections, monitor markets and food establishments, support disinfection exercises, and strengthen the enforcement of the Assembly’s public health and sanitation by-laws.
