Illegal chemical production flourishes at Odorkor Ottaten

Residents in and around Odorkor Ottaten still risk contracting diseases as illegal chemical product manufacturers continue with their toxic activities, seven months after officials from the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the police raided the community to bust the products manufacturers.

The illegal trade revolves around the production, distribution and sale of illegal insecticides, pesticides, rodenticides among other household chemicals.

Ignoring the danger to the environment and residents of the area, the producers operate from their homes and other makeshift structures without approval from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the GSA although some of their products illegally bear the conformity marks of those institutions.

Beyond operating without the right certification, including business registration certificates and operating permits, the operations are also situated in the heart of a densely populated residential area in violation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Regulations (LI 1652).

Observations

A visit to the community on Thursday, August 6, 2020 by the Daily Graphic revealed the chilling sight of emboldened young men and women who claim to be homeless, desperately producing insecticides, pesticides and other chemicals without any protective clothes or precautions.

But for the pungent stench of chemicals that permanently fill the air, it would be difficult to notice that such a toxic trade flourishes in the densely populated residential area.

The strong unpleasant scent of the chemicals used to produce the insecticides, pesticides and in some cases weedicides becomes unbearable within  two-kilometre radius of the vicinity when the chemicals could be smelled from every corner of the area; those not familiar with the area usually hold their breath as they walk through the alleys.

The Daily Graphic team also spotted some branded distribution vans of the products parked along the streets of Odorkor Ottaten, opened for sale to the unsuspecting public.

Odorkor problem

When contacted, the Director of the EPA, Mr John Pwamang, told the Daily Graphic that “the Odorkor situation is a problem and the last time we went there, there was a problem because one of the agencies had granted permits to some of the manufacturers and we all agreed that was bad and were taking steps to stop it.”

He reiterated that the activities of the chemical producers were against the law and could also pose danger to the community.

Asked why nobody has been prosecuted after the January raid, Mr Pwamang said, “Our men were supposed to do follow ups but I don’t know when last a follow up was made but now that the issue is up again, we will contact the police and move in on Monday and ensure that the we get rid of them.”

Failure

In a separate interview with the Daily Graphic last Friday about the persistence of the illegal syndicate, the Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alexander Dodoo, said there had been discussions with other stakeholders on how to permanently rid the area of the toxic trade.

An Environmental Specialist, Mr Ivan Osei Bonsu, also said although the communities engaged in the illegal activities may be predominantly poor or deprived, the phenomenon was an indication that over time, the risks factors would accumulate and spread to other neighbourhoods, including affluent ones.

“It is a basic social fact of urban life that industrial hazards accumulate and spread relentlessly. So, for instance, the effects of what is happening at Odorkor and its environs will over time spread to affluent areas such as South Odorkor Estates and even Dansoman and Sakaman where such ventures can be situated,” he said.