{
  "id": 5770212,
  "title": "Zoomlion begins post-flood disinfection exercise in West Gonja to curb health risks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/zoomlion-begins-post-flood-disinfection-exercise-in-west-gonja-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T11:30:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/zoomlion-begins-post-flood-disinfection-exercise-in-west-gonja-to-curb-health-risks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zoomlion Ghana Limited, alongside the West Gonja Municipal Assembly, has initiated a disinfection and disinfestation campaign in response to the June 2026 floods. This initiative aims to mitigate health hazards posed by stagnant water and contaminated surroundings resulting from the floods. The project includes target locations like markets, lorry parks, institutions, container sites, and other bustling public areas throughout the municipality.\n\nDuring the exercise, Ishmael Ashitey, Savannah Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, elucidated that this intervention is part of a larger nationwide disinfection and disinfestation program implemented jointly by the company and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). Ashitey emphasized the particular significance of this effort in West Gonja due to the environmental conditions created by the heavy rains and flooding observed in the municipality during June. He explained that stagnant water and contaminated environments post-floods can foster the growth of insects and other disease vectors, amplifying the risk of water- and sanitation-related diseases. Ashitey underscored that the primary goal is to assist the Assembly in safeguarding residents and lessening environmental health risks, particularly the threat of diseases such as cholera. Targeting areas with substantial public activity is crucial to maximizing the exercise's impact on community health and environmental safety.\n\nMunicipal Chief Executive for West Gonja, Yakubu Yussif Castro, applauded Zoomlion's partnership in carrying out the disinfection and disinfestation exercise. Castro noted that while the June floods' impact in West Gonja and the broader Savannah Region was comparatively less severe than in other regions, the rains had left behind stagnant water in several locations. He cautioned that such stagnant water could serve as breeding grounds for insects and disease vectors, potentially exposing residents to health risks. Castro described the exercise as a timely measure that would bolster the Assembly's endeavors to maintain a safe and healthy environment for residents. However, he stressed that sanitation maintenance should not be solely the Assembly's responsibility. Castro urged residents to assume greater responsibility for environmental sanitation by disposing of solid waste properly and effectively using waste containers provided within their communities. He stressed the collective role of the Assembly, private-sector partners, traditional authorities, community leaders, and residents in maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Castro affirmed that the Assembly would continue to educate residents on appropriate sanitation practices while reinforcing collaboration with relevant stakeholders to address environmental health challenges. The disinfection and disinfestation exercise is anticipated to reduce environmental health risks in key public spaces while reinforcing the necessity for residents to adhere to proper sanitation practices post-intervention.",
  "summary": "Zoomlion Ghana Limited, in collaboration with the West Gonja Municipal Assembly, has begun a disinfection and disinfestation exercise in the municipality following the June 2026 floods. The exercise is aimed at reducing environmental and public health risks associated with stagnant water and contaminated surroundings left behind by the floods. The intervention covers selected markets, lorry […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}