The Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is mounting pressure on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the Ashanti Region to release GH?4,250,000 to fight cholera outbreak.

The assemblies’ areas of jurisdiction in the region arre said to have been identified as hotspots for potential cholera outbreaks and other-related diseases.

Each of the 31 assemblies in the region is being asked to make a contribution from its share of the recently-released District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to address the expected problem.

But the government’s directive has reportedly ignited controversy in some assemblies, who are questioning the significance or need for the payment of the huge amount for the supposed project.

The colossal amount is to be paid to Messrs Waste Landfills Company to carry out disinfestations and fumigation of all refuse dumps, landfills and other potential breeding grounds in the assemblies’ respective jurisdictions.

A letter, a copy of which is in possession of DAILY GUIDE, dated April 16, 2015 and signed by C. K. Dondieu, Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, which gave the directive, called for maximum cooperation from the assemblies.

It says the payment will enable the company to “continue to carry out the required services to avert the recurrence of a cholera outbreak because of the onset of rains in the districts”.

The letter titled, “Measures to avert cholera outbreak”, which was copied to the administrator of the DACF, categorized the amount to be paid by the assemblies according to their respective administrative statuses.

While the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly alone is being asked to pay GH?800,000, the Adansi North, Asante Akim Central, Asokore Mampong, Bekwai, Ejisu-Juaben, Ejura-Sekyedumase, Mampong, Offinso and Obuasi Municipal Assemblies are to contribute GH?150,000 each.

But the remaining 21 District Assemblies are to contribute GH?100,000 each to address waste management problems in the various assemblies across the Ashanti Region.

The move, according to the ministry, forms part of the mandate of the assemblies to find sustainable means of managing waste produced within their areas, to further boost National Sanitation Day activities.

The ministry says a considerable amount of waste is generated after the clean-up activities and most Ghanaians are slowly accepting environmental cleanliness.

It adds that the nagging issue facing waste management in most MMDAs is the disposal of waste and management of landfills.

According to the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry, it has become necessary to engage the services of Waste Landfills Company Limited and Waste Management Contractors within the assemblies, due the current situation.

The companies are expected to “carry out disinfestations and fumigation of all refuse dumps, landfills and other potential breeding grounds to curtail the outbreak of cholera and other diseases”.

The exercises will also reduce odour emanating from the landfills and refuse dumps in the metropolitan, municipal and districts of the region where cholera outbreak is said to be imminent.