The Ghana Progressive Hotels Association (GHAPROHA) member of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has called on the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) to, as a matter of emergency, prioritize the rehabilitation of the Tema Central sewage system.

The Tema Central sewage system for more than 18 years now has not seen any major rehabilitation works.

A statement signed by the Project Co Ordinator/Vice President of the Association, Ps.Emmanuel Geadda-Asando, stated that the situation has rendered the system inoperative all these years.

According to the group, although, the TMA has on countless occasions given the assurance of rehabilitating the sewer lines, nothing has been done, worsening the situation.

"We were assured that in December work will start, unfortunately, we are in February going onto March but nothing has been done. In spite of these assurances, nothing has changes and the situation is deteriorating. The TMA has only as an act of insensitivity, taken unilateral decision to annually impose what is deemed as exploitative charges on users in the name of sewerage Maintenance fees." The statement read.

Members of GHAPROHA, who have said they cannot bear with the menace no longer, said TMA must act now by speedily addressing the aged long problem.

Read the full statement below.

GHANA PROGRESSIVE HOTELS ASSOCIATION

The Ghana Progressive Hotels Association, GHAPROHA, member of the Ghana Tourism Federation, GHATOF, is calling on the Tema Metropolitan Assembly to as a matter of emergency prioritize the rehabilitation of the Tema central sewerage system. The Tema Central sewerage system for more than 18 years now has not seen any major rehabilitation works.



This has rendered the system inoperative all these years. The wear and tear and aging process has caused damage to pipes, roots of tress close to sewer lines have also compounded the situation causing breakages along portion of the pipelines and manholes. This has led to massive siltation of sewer lines and the invasion of the system by rodents and other creatures.

Oil deposits from factories, garages and the disposal of solid waste materials such as rags and tampons from households are choking the sewer lines rendering them ineffective.

The situation is greatly affecting the hospitality industry in Tema. Many restaurants and hotels are losing business and spending a lot of money to repair the portions of these sewer lines.

About 3277,900 is spent annually by the industry to hire the services of artisans and environmental officers to undertake diverse activities such as routine roding of choked pipes, desilting choked drains and sealing of leaking sewer pipes and broken manholes.

All aimed at mitigating the impact of the problem. The direct stench from the sewer lines and poor sanitary conditions have drastically lowered occupancy rate of hotels and restaurants in Tema. It has fallen from an estimated national average of 60 percent to 40 percent over the last five.



Restaurants and hotels have become helpless as we are unable to maintain the required food safety and hygienic standards in an environment where raw fecal matter flows uncontrollably into kitchens, restaurants and hotel rooms. Guests cannot stand the stench, let alone the unsightly spectacle of raw feces. The situation is greatly affecting operations of members of the association. Residents have to suffer the painful ordeal of sharing their homes with mouse and mice who have invaded the community because of this problem.

Although, the TMA has on countless occasions given the assurance of rehabilitating the sewer lines, nothing has been done, worsening the situation. We were assured that in December work will start, unfortunately, we are in February going onto March but nothing has been done.

In spite of these assurances, nothing has changes and the situation is deteriorating. The TMA has only as an act of insensitivity, taken unilateral decision to annually impose what is deemed as an exploitative charges on users in the name of sewerage Maintenance fees. The TMA must act now by speedily addressing this aged long problem. We cannot take this anymore. TMA, action now.

This advocacy project is funded by BUSAC fund and supported by DANIDA, USAID AND EUROPEAN UNION.

SIGNED

Project Co Ordinator/Vice President Of Ghana Progressive Hotels Assocaition
Ps.Emmanuel Geadda-Asando

TEL: 0244299012