Ghana: Health Alert - VSD, TNMA Clash Over Project On Anthrax Burial Site
The Veterinary Services Department in Ghana is protesting the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly's decision to develop a commercial facility on a former anthrax burial site. Officials warn that disturbing the land could trigger a national epidemic by exposing humans and animals to dangerous pathogens.
Why it matters
This highlights a critical conflict between local urban development and public health safety protocols regarding hazardous biological waste sites.
The Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (TNMA)'s move to develop part of the veterinary disease surveillance farm containing the burial site for anthrax diseased animals at Kwabedu has sparked fears of a potential public health disaster as the assembly continues to ignore objections and legal advice to halt the project.
According to the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) the decision by the assembly to allow a private developer access to the land for the development of a commercial facility could trigger a national epidemic through exposure of humans and animals to deadly pathogens.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Ghanaian Times yesterday, the Regional Director of the Veterinary Services in charge of the Western and Western North regions, Dr Simon Gbene, said it was unfortunate that the Assembly had ignored repeated objections and legal advice to halt the project.
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