Concerned business operators at the Gicel Estate Business Center are calling on the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to stop facilitating the sale of public toilets to private individuals.
This move, they say, has led to a severe public sanitation crisis and poses serious health risks for the community.
The public toilets, which were once a crucial resource for the thousands of people who frequent the busy business center, are now being sold off and converted into private shops.
According to local business owners, this decision has drastically reduced access to sanitation facilities, leaving visitors, employees, and customers with limited options.
“With over 5,000 people passing through the Gicel Estate daily, the lack of proper toilet facilities is not just an inconvenience — it’s a public health emergency,” said Mr. Kojo Asare, Secretary of the Indigenous Business Operators Association.
“We are seeing an increase in open defecation and unsanitary ‘shit-and-throw’ practices, which are not only harmful but pose a serious risk to the health of our community.”
The indigenous business operators argue that the closure and privatization of these toilets have created an unsafe, unhygienic environment for both local businesses and the wider public.
They are calling for SSNIT and Gicel to immediately halt the sale of these facilities and restore public access to sanitation in order to maintain hygiene standards and protect public health.
“Businesses depend on foot traffic and a clean environment to thrive,” Mr. Asare continued. “If this issue isn’t addressed, it will not only endanger health but could also harm the reputation and operations of the businesses here.”
In response to this crisis, the Indigenous Business Operators Association has pledged to work closely with the relevant authorities to find a solution.
However, they have also warned that, if the situation isn’t resolved quickly, they will be forced to take further action to ensure the well-being of their community and preserve the viability of their businesses.
