Some vegetable sellers in the Central Business District of Takoradi have expressed worry over the ban of vegetables sale within the Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolis due to cholera outbreak in the Western Region.
Due to the increase in the number of cholera cases and deaths being recorded in the Region, the Western Regional Co-ordinating Council has issued a ban on the sale of vegetables by food vendors.
This was after the Environmental Surveillance investigations revealed that about 96 per cent of cholera infections were linked to food vendors, particularly through the sale of contaminated vegetables.
However, during a visit to the Takoradi central market by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), some vegetable sellers expressed worry over the ban, saying it slowed their business and affected sales.
Madam Grace Ababio, a cabbage seller, said she had put her business on hold as instructed by authorities in the region, saying, “Selling vegetables is my only means of survival, however the lives and safety of individuals matter most, and so I have no choice than to adhere to the directive coming from the authorities.”
Madam Fati Abubakar, another vegetable seller, called on authorities to expedite measures and manage the disease as their business could not be halted for a longer period, especially as the festive season approached.
“Vegetables play a vital role during festive seasons, especially in food preparation, so we are calling on the authorities to reconsider their decisions and put measures in place for proper handling of this type of food item to help stem the spread of cholera in the region,” she added.
The region has so far recorded more than 910 cholera cases with more than 10 deaths.
