Gbemi Stream in distress

The preservation of ecosystem, promotion of health and sustainability of the future depend on maintaining a clean environment.

Research shows that a clean environment helps reduce the effects of climate change, preserves biodiversity and conserves natural resources.

The Gbemi Stream, which was dredged to prevent floods, has turned to a refuse dump and place for open defecation at Ashaiman, Jericho.

The Stream runs through Jericho and other parts of Ashaiman, but it is now in a bad state and a health challenge.

In 2010, a heavy downpour with floods in Accra, Ashaiman and other places resulted in the loss of lives and property.

Inhabitants of Jericho were mostly affected because of their closeness to the stream.

After the flood, the government then dredged the stream to prevent a reoccurrence of the floods.

The dredging resulted in the stream getting wider and bigger; however, residents have turned it into a refuse dump and an open defecation area.

Some residents have also connected their toilets into the stream, particularly those running public toilets.

Residents living close by the stream say they are content staying close to the stream with all the filth, even though it is detrimental to their health.

Some are of the view that most of the people dumping refuse into the stream live distances away.

Most buildings by the stream are makeshift structures.

The dumping of refuse into the stream has resulted in the natural water body looking more like a big gutter, and a place for the breeding of mosquitos.

Daniella Nartey, 
Student,
University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC)-GIJ.