GBARNGA, Bong County – Residents and vendors along Broad Street in Gbarnga are raising alarms over an escalating garbage crisis that they say is endangering public health.
Piles of uncollected waste now line the roadside and market areas, creating foul odors, attracting swarms of flies, and polluting the air. Locals fear the situation is worsening as the rainy season carries waste into homes and stalls, heightening risks of disease outbreaks.
Food vendor Mariam Swary told reporters she has fallen ill due to the unsanitary conditions. “The water mixes with the dirt and brings it right into our businesses,” she lamented.
Despite occasional clean-up exercises by the Gbarnga City Corporation (GCC), residents say the problem persists—especially in the old central market zone, which many describe as neglected. Informal dumpsites have also multiplied across the city, a problem many blame on inconsistent waste collection.
Rev. John Forkpah of the GCC Sanitation Department acknowledged the difficulties, criticizing both residents and landowners for careless waste disposal. He stressed the importance of shared responsibility, urging citizens to work alongside the city to reduce pollution.
“A clean environment will help us live healthier lives and reduce common sicknesses,” Forkpah said, while calling for more resources to tackle the crisis.
Community members are now demanding long-term solutions, including the establishment of an official dumpsite and stronger community engagement in waste management.
Without swift intervention, residents fear Gbarnga could face a severe public health emergency, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable plan to address the mounting garbage crisis.
