A confrontation erupted between officials of the Tema East Sub-Metro and some fishmongers during a demolition exercise at a fishmongering and fish drying site in Tema Newtown on Tuesday, July 28.

The operation, carried out as part of efforts to improve sanitation along the shoreline, also resulted in the arrest of some individuals who were allegedly engaging in open defecation at the site.

According to the Tema East Sub-Metro, the demolition was prompted by poor sanitary conditions at the fish processing area, where fish were reportedly being dried near refuse dumps and locations used for open defecation, raising serious public health concerns.

Authorities said the exercise forms part of an ongoing clean-up campaign to restore sanitation standards and create a safer and healthier environment for fishmongering and fish drying activities.

Chairman of the Tema East Sub-Metro said fishmongers had been given prior notice before the exercise was carried out.

He explained that the intervention became necessary because of the worsening sanitary conditions and the associated health risks.

“The work they do is important, but the environment is not conducive. They were duly notified. The area must be cleaned before they can resume their business. The demolition is intended to pave the way for a major clean-up exercise,” he said

However, the exercise was met with resistance from some fishmongers, leading to confrontations with officials.

The traders appealed to the authorities to allow them enough time to retrieve their fish and other belongings before the demolition continued.

Despite the protests, the demolition exercise proceeded as officials maintained that the action was necessary to safeguard public health and improve sanitation in the area.

citinewsroom.com