The management of solid waste material has being a major headache for Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies across the country in recent times, as almost one third of the total Assemblies fund, which could be used for development projects, are channelled into the fight against waste.

However, very little has this chunk of money is reflected in the bid to keep the country clean, as filth continues to swallow the towns and cities on a daily basis, particularly around central business areas, with little or no concerns by some city authorities to initiate mechanisms to fight the canker.

One Assembly, which has lost control over the fight to get rid of filth, is the West Akyem Municipal Assembly (WAMA) in the Eastern Region, as mountain-like filth has virtually engulfed the business centre of the district for almost weeks, without any sign of action being taken to clear the mess by the Assembly.

The stench that emanates from the mountainous refuse, coupled with flies, as well as the competition for space by market women and residents of the area, leaves much to be desired.

In an effort to do business, residents, particularly market women, have defied all the odds and implications of cholera and the outbreak of diseases, and do business in and around the heaped refuse.

Even though it sounds disturbing and unthinkable for the market women to do business in and around the mess, nobody should also begrudge them, since they have to make a living.

The situation is an eyesore, particularly during market days, as these market women clear a portion of the refuse, so as to get space to do business, and sit in it to sell their products, ranging from oranges, used clothing and ice water, to bread, among others.

Interestingly the heaped unattended to refuse is just a walking distance from the Asamankese main lorry station, which serves as a central point for all and sundry, including the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area.

Residents, particularly market women, have started questioning the sense of duty and will of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the area, Mr. Seth Okyere, to ensure a good sanitary environment.

Speaking to the Eastern file in separate interviews, Mr. Teitey Frederick, a staff of Radiant Financial and Business Consult, whose office is partially swallowed by the unattended refuse, and Madam Assan Shaidi, an orange seller, expressed grave concern over the way the Assembly was handling waste management, not only in the market area, but the municipality in general.

According to them, the situation, if not addressed immediately, could lead to an outbreak of disease, and have given a week's ultimatum to the MCE, to charge his officers responsible, to clear the filth before they hit the streets to seek justification for the daily toll they pay to the Assembly.

The Eastern File's effort to reach the MCE, to respond to the challenges raised by the residents, uncovered a funny development, as the Assembly was in a dilemma as to who is responsible for the clearing of the mess.

As the Assembly lays the blame at the doorsteps of Zoomlion Waste Management Company Limited, a leading waste management company, the latter, on the other hand, is blaming the Assembly for its inability to make funds and logistics available, to facilitate the clearance of the filth.

But the MCE disagrees with the Municipal Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr. Charles Adu Brown, that the Assembly is financial strapped, since about GH¢4,500 is deducted from the Assembly's Common Fund quarterly for waste management, and attributes the situation to the lack of supervision on the part of Zoomlion to ensure that the municipality is free from filth.