Women traders at the Bongo-Balungo Market in the Bongo District have taken the lead in a clean-up exercise to address poor sanitation and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
The exercise, held on Monday, September 14, 2026, brought together members of the Bongo-Balungo Market Women Association, the Bongo-Balungo Chief and elders, the Assembly Member, market leaders and other community opinion leaders.
The traders say the initiative has become necessary as the rainy season worsens sanitation challenges, with stagnant water and accumulated waste creating conditions that could encourage mosquito breeding and increase the risk of diseases.
Chairperson of the Bongo-Balungo Market Women Association, Gladys Akologo, said the poor sanitary condition of the market has become a growing concern for traders who spend long hours at the facility.
She said the women regularly meet at the market during the rainy season and have had to contend with increased mosquito bites because of the condition of the surroundings.
Madam Akologo urged traders to take responsibility for the cleanliness of their individual trading spaces and dispose of waste properly in the Zoomlion containers provided.
“We must all take responsibility for keeping the market clean. Traders should not leave their waste around the market but make use of the containers provided,” she said.
A member of the association, Geribel Apiah, said the decision to organise the exercise followed concerns that the market had become increasingly dirty.
She, however, expressed disappointment over the low participation of some shop owners and community members, stressing that sanitation could not be left to a few individuals.
Moses Atanga Akurigo, described as the father of the women’s group, commended the traders for taking the initiative and called for sustained efforts to keep markets across the Bongo District clean.
He urged shop owners and traders to regularly gather their waste and dispose of it at designated Zoomlion containers.
Augustina Adongo, the mother of the group, also stressed the link between sanitation and public health, saying maintaining clean markets is essential to healthy living.
The organisers are now calling for greater community participation in regular clean-up exercises, saying maintaining a clean market should be a shared responsibility between traders, residents, market leaders and local authorities.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Moses Anaba| Bongo
