Air pollution by a toiletries and plastics manufacturing Chinese company at Asutsuare in the Greater Accra Region, is reportedly affecting the health of some two thousand students of Osudoku Senior High Technical School.
Speaking to Citi News about the situation, the Headmistress of the school, Sylvia Baaba Yankey, said academic work is being affected by the pollution.
[contextly_sidebar id=”mnMzaqPhGn2CID7EUfXn0CHkZEoqB9zX”]“We experience the fumes on the compound every now and then, some of them who took ill were taken to the hospital. According to some of them, the doctor advised them to stop smoking, meanwhile they don’t smoke” she said.
According to Baaba Yankey, the emission from the company prevents students from staying in any of the school’s facilities.
“We experience serious pollution and students cannot stay in the classroom, and certainly it is a major concern,” she said.
The authorities of the school, who are also affected by activities of thse toiletries and plastics manufacturing company, say they are engulfed by the fumes on a daily basis.
Pollution by Kuntunse tomato factory
Residents at Korleman City, an estate at Kuntunse in the Ga West Municipality, last year raised similar concerns about how the activities of a Chinese Tomatoe paste factory was affecting them.
The residents first raised concerns over the possible long-term health hazards, following the improper disposal of waste by operators of the factory.
According to them, thick smoke filled the air during the company’s operation during the day and at night, with excessive noise.
Independent investigations by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA revealed that the tomato factory was operating illegally and the agency proceeded to fine the company GHc15,000.
The company was also ordered to halt any form of production.
The factory, which belongs to some Chinese expatriates, stopped operating for a while, but resumed full production again.
After a back and forth between residents and the Ga West Municipal Assembly, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, ordered the company to close down.
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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana