Kumasi-Alaba is currently facing a worsening sanitation crisis, with heaps of uncollected refuse piling up in the streets, raising serious health concerns amid Ghana’s escalating cholera outbreak. Residents and commuters have voiced their distress over the deteriorating conditions, warning that the unchecked filth poses an imminent health disaster.

The alarming surge in cholera cases across the Ashanti Region and other parts of the country has heightened fears, as experts link the outbreak to poor sanitation, blocked drainage systems, and indiscriminate waste disposal. The presence of stagnant water pooling around rotting garbage has created a breeding ground for bacteria, significantly increasing the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases.

Local authorities have been criticized for failing to address the deepening sanitation crisis, with many residents blaming inefficient waste collection services and a general lack of enforcement of sanitation regulations. Videos and images circulating on social media paint a dire picture of Kumasi-Alaba’s current state, showing refuse-strewn streets and clogged drains overflowing with waste.

Environmental and health experts have warned that if urgent measures are not taken, Kumasi could see a drastic rise in cholera infections, further straining the already overburdened healthcare system. The Ashanti Region is one of the worst affected by the outbreak, which has spread to multiple parts of Ghana.

In response to the growing crisis, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ministry of Health have launched an emergency cholera vaccination campaign, targeting over 300,000 residents in Accra. This initiative, which commenced on February 14, is part of a broader strategy to curb the outbreak that has already claimed more than 40 lives and infected over 6,000 people.

The outbreak, which began in Ada East in October 2024, has rapidly spread across five regions Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Ashanti, and Western raising serious concerns for densely populated urban centers such as Kumasi. Health experts attribute the rapid spread to poor sanitation, lack of access to clean drinking water, and unhygienic food handling practices.

Cholera, a highly infectious bacterial disease, is transmitted through contaminated food and water. It causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, and, in extreme cases, death. With the disease spreading fast, health officials are urging the public to adopt strict hygiene measures, including drinking only treated water, practicing proper handwashing, and ensuring food is properly cooked and stored.

Medical professionals have expressed deep concern over the increasing number of fatalities, with many victims succumbing to the disease before receiving medical care. Public health authorities are calling for intensified efforts to improve waste collection, enforce sanitation bylaws, and ensure the availability of clean drinking water to prevent further outbreaks.

As Kumasi-Alaba struggles under mounting garbage and a growing health crisis, residents and advocacy groups are demanding immediate intervention from local and national authorities. Without swift action, the combination of poor sanitation and the rapid spread of cholera could lead to a full-blown public health catastrophe.