GENERAL NEWS

Residents of Pokuase, Katapor at risk of respiratory diseases due to dusty road

Residents of Pokuase, Katapor, Second Chance, and adjoining communities in the Ga North Municipality of Greater Accra are urgently pleading for relief from hazardous dusty roads that endanger their health, vehicles, and livelihoods.

The problem is exacerbated by the frequent traffic of tipper trucks carrying sand from nearby quarries, worsening the already deteriorated roads.

Approximately 11 kilometers of road from the Area Council near Pokuase Interchange in Trobu Constituency through Katapor to Dedeimanto Otsirikomfo has been neglected for years. Despite government declarations for improvements in 2024, the situation remains unchanged.

A commercial driver, Daniel Adu, told citinewsroom.com that the situation is impacting negatively on their livelihoods.

“The poor condition of the road affects us greatly. Every three days, we have to go to Abossey Okai because our vehicles keep breaking down. We appeal to the authorities to come to our aid.”

Another resident who also spoke to citinewsroom.com expressed concern about its impact on health.

“The road is in a terrible state. Quarrying should have been halted to complete the road construction. We endure heavy dust, occasionally suppressed by water cannons. The government needs to intervene. We’re suffering, and our health is constantly at risk due to the poor road network.”

Community leader Sepenu Katapor, in an interview with citinewsroom, appealed to city authorities for sustainable solutions to alleviate the health risks and economic hardships caused by these neglected roads.

“Our problems started with the onset of quarrying activities here. Despite engaging with site operators and the Assembly, who inspected the situation, meaningful solutions are yet to materialize.”

Health risks

Doctors and public health experts say that inhaling dust poses risks to human health.

This exposure heightens the likelihood of fatalities from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lower respiratory infections.

A recent study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US highlighted that exposure to road dust can lead to adverse respiratory effects, including asthma and respiratory carcinoma.

Further research from Johns Hopkins University also indicates that certain types of dust particles, like those from roads, can cause pneumoconiosis and other interstitial lung diseases by damaging lung tissues and causing inflammation.

 

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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