Residents of Eyipe, a community in Winneba in the Central Region, are raising concerns over persistent sanitation challenges, including improper waste disposal, open defecation and the poor management of wastewater.The situation has become particularly worrying because of the community’s proximity to the sea. Rubbish can be found in parts of the community, especially around the shoreline, while wastewater from households is sometimes discharged into open areas where waste has already accumulated.For residents, the problem goes beyond the appearance of their surroundings. They are concerned about the possible effects on public health and the coastal environment.Waste disposal remains a challengeSome residents say the cost of waste collection contributes to improper waste disposal in the community.According to them, some households struggle to pay the waste levy regularly and resort to disposing of rubbish in open spaces, sometimes early in the morning.Residents also expressed concerns about wastewater from washing and other household activities being discharged into open areas. In some locations, the wastewater mixes with accumulated rubbish, creating unhygienic conditions.The situation is more concerning around the shoreline, where some residents say rubbish is dumped close to the sea.With the community located near the coast, residents fear that continued dumping could contribute to marine pollution and affect the environment and people who depend on the sea.Residents express frustrationSome residents said they had reported the sanitation problem several times but had seen limited improvement.Others declined to speak about the issue, explaining that they had raised similar concerns in the past without seeing enough action.For these residents, the problem has therefore become more than the presence of rubbish. It has also created a sense of frustration over whether their concerns are receiving adequate attention.Assembly acknowledges sanitation problemThe Assembly Member for the area, Hon. Kofi Kumi, acknowledged that sanitation remains a challenge in Eyipe.He said the community does not have enough dustbins to provide residents with adequate facilities for proper waste disposal.He also identified the absence of Zoomlion waste collection services as another challenge, saying the lack of regular collection makes it difficult to manage waste generated by households.Despite these challenges, he said community clean-up exercises are organised regularly and residents are encouraged to participate.However, residents say the clean-up exercises provide only temporary relief because the community continues to face difficulties with regular waste collection and disposal.Public health concernsThe sanitation situation has also raised concerns about the health of residents.A sanitation officer who spoke about the situation presented records of cholera and diarrhoea cases and explained the health risks associated with poor sanitation.Improper waste disposal and open defecation can create conditions that increase the spread of disease. For residents living near areas where rubbish accumulates, sanitation is therefore a public health issue as much as an environmental one.Concerns over coastal pollutionEyipe’s proximity to the sea adds another dimension to the sanitation challenge.Waste dumped near the shoreline and wastewater discharged carelessly can eventually enter the marine environment, raising concerns about coastal pollution and its potential impact on marine life.The situation also threatens the cleanliness of an environment that supports the livelihoods and daily activities of people in the community.Calls for a lasting solutionThe sanitation challenges in Eyipe are linked to several factors, including improper waste disposal, the cost of waste collection, inadequate disposal facilities and limited regular waste collection services.Addressing the situation will therefore require more than periodic clean-up exercises.Residents need access to adequate waste bins, reliable waste collection services and affordable disposal options. Continuous public education could also encourage households to adopt safer waste disposal practices.The concerns about open defecation further highlight the need for access to suitable toilet facilities and sustained sanitation education.For residents, the ultimate goal is not simply to have a clean community immediately after a clean-up exercise. They want a system that keeps the community clean throughout the year.As Eyipe continues to confront its sanitation challenges, the issue has become a reminder that public health and environmental protection are closely connected.For a community located beside the sea, addressing poor sanitation is not only about improving the appearance of the community. It is about protecting residents, preserving the coastline and ensuring a healthier environment for future generations.By Daniella Adoma Sarpong