MALARIA, NOT THE MOST PREVALENT DISEASE AT MADINA-Health Practioner

By Samed Akalilu.

A medical practitioner busily attending to a patient

It is not uncommon for a Ghanaian to walk into a nearby pharmacy shop, ostensibly in search for Coartem, Artemether or Chloroquine when he/she experiences signs such as loss of appetite, vomiting and feverishness.

This appears to be the case in the Madina Municipality. Assembly Member for Madina West Electoral Area, Abdul-Rahman Rahim said malaria remains the most prevalent disease in the area.

He was of the view that the choked gutters caused by indiscriminate disposal of waste including human excreta at any part of the municipality contributed to this growing health condition in the area.

“Our major challenge is some of our people are not ready to keep their surroundings clean,” Mr. Rahim said.

But, health authorities at the Madina Municipality disagree with the speculation that malaria is the most prevalent disease in the area.

Rather, a “jaw-breaking” illness called “Gastroenteritis”- an intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever tops the league of reported cases.

A Senior Staff Nurse at the Madina Polyclinic, Madam Agnes Abugbire, revealed this in an interview with this paper on Thursday. According to her, most patients of gastroenteritis confuse it with malaria due to its symptoms.

“We receive more cases of gastroenteritis here than malaria,” Madam Abugbire said.

Gastroenteritis   is generally a viral disease caused by contacts with infected persons through contaminated food and water.

Madam Abugbire admonished people who resort to pharmacy shops at the least ill health for medication to desist from such habits. She said, the best way to knowing one’s appropriate health condition is to seek medical attention in an approved health facility.

According to the World Health Organisation (W.H.O), although gastroenteritis is not generally deadly among adults, it could be fatal among children and old adults with compromised immune system.

 

 

 

 

 

LA NKWANTANANG MADINA MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY TO VACATE METALIC OFFICES SOON

By Samed Akalilu

The metallic offices of the LaNMMA

Authorities at the La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly(LaNMMA), in the Greater Accra region say, they will relocate to a permanent site later this year.

Municipal Engineer, Richard Ofusu-hene Asante disclosed this on Friday 10th March. According to him, this will create the congenial atmosphere for the operations of the Assembly.

The La Nkwantanang Authorities Municipal Assembly was carved out of the Ga East Municipal Assembly four years ago. Lack of a befitting structure compelled the staff to occupy the metallic containers near the Madina market as a temporary measure.

Mr. Asante says workers are unable to stand the excessive heat emanating from the metallic offices especially, when there is a power outage.

He mentioned excessive noise from the market and competition for packing space among Assembly staff and the general public as some of the challenges associated with the current site of the municipal administration.

“It is sometimes very difficult to concentrate in the office, noise from vehicles and loud speakers from traders who engage in promotion marketing techniques is a worry,” Mr. Asante stated.

A trader at the Madina market, Alex Aboagye said he has been packing his car at the forecourt of the Assembly for close to a decade. He therefore, does not see any problem of packing his car there.

“The whole market area is choked the only space available for owners of vehicles in this market is the space in the middle of the assembly,” Mr. Aboagye said.

The Municipal engineer was however, hopeful that when the assembly relocates, all the challenges affecting them due to their present location would no more be experienced, paving way for improved working environment.

MADINA STREETS TURN REFUSE DUMP, CAUSING HEAVY TRAFFIC

By  Samed Akalilu

A congested Madina road at night

The vehicular and human traffic in Madina on a typical working afternoon would obviously, not surprise anyone who has been there over the past few years. However, a thick assembly of vehicles, locked up for nearly two hours within a 300 meter stretch of road arouses curiosity.

That is the ordeal of motorists who use the road between the Madina Overhead Bridge and Oman Fm. For close to two weeks, two metallic containers, placed in the middle of the road, have turned the dual carriage route into a single lane; forcing drivers to contend with heavy traffic.

Samuel Abanga, a” trotro” driver in Madina says the situation is affecting his sales. He alleges that several attempts to get the two containers full of refuse cleared, had not yielded the desired result.

“With this short stretch, I could do 3 minutes of driving but look at me, I have been standing in this queue for almost an hour,” Mr. Abanga said with anger.

The refuse bins have not only caused unreasonable traffic congestion, but are a source of health concerns. One cannot pass near these containers without holding one’s breadth; ostensibly to temporary avoid the uncomfortable stench.

The solid waste had begun decomposing; causing flies and other insects to invade the entire area. Quite surprisingly, caterers for delicacies such as rice, banku and tilapia are seen busily “cashing” money from their customers as close as five meters to the filth. This is without recourse to their health concerns.

The LaNkwantanang Madina Municipal Environmental Officer, Mr. Joseph Quarcoo blames the problem on Zoom Lion, one of Ghana’s leading waste management firms contracted by the Assembly. He said his attention was drawn to the incident and wondered why Zoom Lion had still not rectified the anomaly several days after his outfit ordered them to do so.

“My office will place a call to Zoom Lion before close of work today, we shall ensure that the containers are cleared from the area as soon as practicable,” Mr. Quarcoo assured.

OF WINNING WAYS & LIFESTYLE CHOICES

 

By Solomon Katachie

There’s hardly any space for it on the compound of his single-room rented apartment but Idris Subaru manages to squeeze his 2009 Toyota Camry inside the less than 50sqft compound.

There is a gap (where a gate is intended to be) between the two ends of the unpainted wall that bounds his home.

There is a heap of garbage in one corner of the compound because Idris does not own a refuse bin.

The room itself is small and poorly ventilated and the stench from the open gutter just in front of the house breaks up the fragrance from his automated air freshener.

But Idris will not move. He is content as long as he has the means to afford and maintain the two most important things for the lifestyle he prefers to have: his car and, as he describes them, ‘fresh hiphop’ clothing.

This lifestyle is one many of Idris’ friends aspire to. They represent a growing section of the Madina youth that pools resources together in order to place sizeable bets on football matches for even bigger returns, which they split equally.

“The bet, it is easier to win if your money is big,” he explains. “So we put our money together and bet on sure banker matches.”

The rewards are tangible. Idris and his friends are able to afford cars worth GH¢30,000 on the average.

“If you bet like GH¢7000 on two or three matches, you can win about GH¢20,000. Then you can save and buy a car and fresh hiphop shadas [clothing],” he declares.

Many of Idris’ friends live under similar conditions as he does. He feels it is as a result of a need to stay connected to their roots; to ‘stay in the hood’.

He thinks investing his winnings in a business or in higher learning would constitute a waste of his time. The much more logical option for him is to buy another flashy car, which he says he has already started saving for.

CATCHING THEM YOUNG

By Solomon Katachie

photo credit: google images

Amina Laminu sells hot Hausa koko every morning to many senior high school students who, only two years ago, were her classmates.

She is seventeen now. She would have been nearing the end of the second year of a high school education had she not been forced to marry at age 15.

“My parents were poor so I had to stop school when my husband told them he wanted to marry me,” she reveals.

Amina is not the only female in her circle of friends who has had to drop out of school because of an arranged marriage.

“It is common,” says Sekina Banda, Amina’s childhood friend who sometimes helps with the koko business. “My friend Fatima also got married last year before B.E.C.E and Laraba’s big sister too.”

Amina admits that she herself would have liked to have completed school but remains adamant that early marriage is not an entirely terrible thing. She explains that her husband is kind to her; that he set up the koko stand for her, which enables her to make enough money to help her parents out financially; and that an education would have been a more expensive path to the same end, anyway.

“It is about making money and giving a good life to my family,” she says. “School is good but it takes long and the money I get from selling koko is more than some workers’ salary.”

Madina residents rate the top five food joints in the Municipality

Customers taking their turns to buy tuo zaafi at Hajia Sauda Tuo Zaafi Special

By: Efua Idan Osam

Are you visiting Madina for the first time or do you have a few rounds to make within the Municipality?  Well, should you get hungry and would want the best meal to buy, you may want to consider these food joints rated the best by some Madina residents.

Mubarak Mohammed is a mobile phone seller and according to him, Las Pamas is the best place to get banku and okro soup in Madina.

However, he recommends that if you want to eat fufu, then Ashanti Home Touch is the place to go.

“The variety of soups Ashanti Home Touch served with the fufu are so tasty,” he said with a smile.

“Oh, you don’t even have to ask,” said a cosmetic shop owner, Agnes Baidoo, as she moved closer to join in the conversation.

“It is common knowledge that Las Pamas and Asahnti Home Touch are the most popular and best eating joints in Madina and their location too is very suitable,” she remarked.

The third place you might want to check out is Hajia Sauda Tuo Zaafi Special. This food joint is quite popular despite being located in a quieter suburb of Madina – Libya Quarters.

Ever since Hajia’s tuo zaafi joint was opened five years ago, Juliet Odonkor, an African print shop owner has been a regular customer.

Mrs Odonkor’s shop is situated inside the Madina market but she drives all the way to Libya Quarters thrice a week to buy tuo zaafi.

“Oh yes, there are tuo zaafi joints around the Madina market but Hajia’s tuo zaafi is the best you can find within Madina and certainly, as you can see, I don’t mind driving all the way to buy it,” she remarked.

Mama Lit, a restaurant located on the Social Welfare road also came in highly recommended for its specialization in rice dishes.

Abena Bosoo trades in second hand bags and for her, she prefers Mama Lit because the food is delicious.

“In Ghana, a lot of restaurants don’t do well with their rice dishes as compared to dishes like fufu, banku and konkonte but Mama Lit is very good. However, anytime I want to eat fufu or banku, I go to Las Pamas,” she explained.

Rasco Restaurant located near the Zongo Junction taxi rank was rated fifth and it is popular for its fufu and banku dishes.

It is largely patronized by taxi and bus drivers, as well as passengers who may want to grab something to eat before embarking on their journey.

So there you have it; the top five eating places in Madina – Las Pamas, Ashanti Home Touch, Hajia Sauda Tuo Zaafi Special, Mama Lit and Rasco.

 

 

 

OKADA MEANS A LOT TO FOLKS AT MADINA

By: Dorothy Oforiwaa Ocran

My reaction when 65 year old Hajia Salamatu sat on a motor bike at Madina zongo junction infuriated Alhassan, the bike owner who thought my intent was to collapse their business. But for me, she was too old and frail to even survive the shortest journey on that vehicle. However, she needed to get to Adenta immediately and for her that was the fastest means due to the traffic situation.

My response, “No boss, I salute sir” to his remark, “Madam why you want to spoil our business” got the other okada riders and their clients giggling and that actually sparked a conversation.

Alhassan narrated how commercial motor bike service, popularly called ‘okada’ has gained grounds in Madina in the past few years. He talked about how much people rely on okadas to get to their destinations speedily because the okada riders are able to maneuver their way through the traffic quite easily. Their clients encompasses both males and females, the youth and even older folks than Hajia Salamatu.

As told by Alhassan, the okada riders said a few words to calm the nerves of people who were patronizing their services for the first time and those who had never had a ride in their lives and were jittery due to that. As well, they had helmets for their clients to ensure their safety.

The over 30 motor bikes lined up with riders on standby was an indication that these folks meant business. Actually, it was evident that folks in Madina junction were already comfortable with their services.

But their charges got me stunned – they charged about GHȻ5.00 from Zongo junction to Ritz junction which is just as much as the taxis charge.

How then were they going to the competition since people may prefer taxis over okada if their charges were the same but to Alhassan, there was no competition at all.

“We are faster, reliable and more convenient than taxis,” he said confidently.

It is interesting how the traffic situation coupled with the need for people to make it to their destinations swiftly has made the cowards brave. Hajia Salamatu had earlier told me not to worry about her because she was alright.

Well, I had learnt about the advent of okadas in some suburbs of Accra such as Nima, Kaneshie, Circle but I guess I underestimated the acceptance and patronage of that business.

The heavy traffic that consumes Madina from time to time has left its residents with very little choice.

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MADINA TOWING TRUCKS CASHING IN ON THE RAINY SEASON

By Dorothy Oforiwaa Ocran

Just a glance at the fleet of trucks parked at the Zongo junction median of the Madina – Adenta highway, and one would think she just bumped into a vehicle showroom right there on the street. Over twenty trucks are given prominence by the street lights and flashlights of passing vehicles, making it almost impossible to miss the sight even in the dark.

                       A cross-section of the towing trucks at Madina Zongo junction

But a closer look and encounter with the trucks paints a different picture; they are quite rugged, have phone numbers written on them, and then forklifts behind them. Never have I seen so many trucks with forklifts assembled at one point in my life. And to think that they are old models of Land rovers; and unnoticeably interspersed with their owners.

So the trucks do not have a single owner and are not on display for sale like I thought. They are actually towing trucks and each truck has its owner! Towing trucks move broken down vehicles from one place to another.

Haruna Abdulai, who owns one of these trucks disclosed that the trucks sit at the same spot for 24 hours in seven days; whether rain or shine, thunder or storm, they remain. Actually, their favorite times are the rainy seasons because that is when their business booms.

You know why? Vehicles easily get stuck at places and need to be hauled to their destinations. Accidents occur quite frequently due to the slippery nature of the roads and those vehicles need to be towed to the police stations and other agreed on destinations. They haul vehicles from Accra to as far as Koforidua, Aburi, Kasoa and vice versa.

 

 

             A close shot of the towing trucks at Madina Zongo junction

Haruna who has been in the vehicle towing business for over eight years said it is a lucrative one. Averagely, he makes a minimum of three trips daily; he could charge as much as GHȻ200.00 per trip depending on the type of vehicle and the location. He said that the business is a competitive one and so he dwells a lot on healthy customer relations to retain his customers.

“My phone is always on and I am willing to attend to people any time they call me,” he said.

 

Well, it is not as though these truck owners go bankrupt during the dry seasons or that that they are happy when accidents happen; they are basically just there to help recover broken down vehicles from one place to another.

So the next time your vehicle gets stuck or breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you know who to call – Haruna and his friends are available 24/7 to help you out!

 

WHEN THE TASKFORCE ROARS; THE DILEMMA OF MADINA STREET TRADERS

By: Dorothy Oforiwaa Ocran

It was a pathetic sight to behold as the street traders in Madina hurriedly bundled up their wares while looking for the nearest safe place to hide from the La-Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly taskforce on Wednesday, March, 23, 2016.

The task force on the other hand, juggled between driving away traders who still remained on the pavements and seizing the wares left behind by those who had managed to escape. They handled the situation with ease, possibly due to many years of experience.

Although pavements are designated walkways for pedestrians, some traders in the Madina Municipality have chosen to display their wares on them for sale. Some sit comfortably on the pavements while others sit almost in the middle of the road to sell goods ranging from foodstuff to second hand clothing.

They will not budge at the sight of anything other than the task force who obviously are able to send cold shivers their spine and get them running helter-skelter. But this scene lasts for a few hours and then they are back at post when the task force recline.

Yaa Owusuaa, a second hand clothing trader explained that Madina is choked and there is no place for them to sell but on the streets.

“The Municipal Assembly promised to relocate us several years ago to a place called New Road but it has not yet done so and we also need to survive,” she said.

Mrs. Comfort Quansah who is also a dealer in a second hand clothes also lamented on the unavailability of space.

“We don’t have anywhere else to sell but here; why do they sell tickets to us if they do not want us here?” she asked.

According to her, she has been selling her goods at the same point for four years now. From time to time, the task force comes around to drive them off the pavements and streets – this same task force sells ticket to them on daily basis.

“They sell the tickets to us at GHȻ50p from Monday to Saturday, and then at a special rate of GHȻ1.00 on Sundays”, she explained.

Hajia Adiza Osman another trader who said she has been vending on the streets for over twenty years now, expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Assembly.

“They are the same people who collect tax from us, and then they will turn around to come and sack us form here,” Hajia Adiza complained.

Meanwhile, none of the members of the task force was willing to  clarify the information the traders had .  Of course they were busy doing their job and could not be distracted whatsoever.

 

Away from home: Teens find life and business on Madina streets

 

Ebenezer Ackom and his friends

By: Efua Idan Osam

Lying on their backs and looking up into the dark sky, 18-year-old Ebenezer Ackom and his four friends laughed, giggled and teased themselves about their experiences and encounters selling coconut on the streets of Madina.

It is 7 p.m. and the five teenagers were gathered at their usual spot; the median located under Madina Zongo Junction traffic light. Here, they arrange the trucks used in carrying and selling their coconut in a straight line and then they lie on them to chit chat about their day – all the while oblivious of the busy movements of people and vehicles around them.

Ackom and his friends come from Agona Swedru in the Central Region. They came to Madina to sell coconut to make money for the upkeep of their parents back home.

“I only come to Madina to sell coconut when school is on vacation,” Ackom said. “That way, I am able to save some money for my school fees and pocket money.”

According to Ackom and his friends, business is currently booming due to the hot weather conditions.

“The sun is very hot nowadays and so people really buy our coconut. We have people who supply us with coconut from Agona Swedru everyday so it is always fresh,” he said.

Despite the gains they make from their coconut trade, they are exposed to harmful conditions at night.

“We sleep on our trucks here at Zongo Junction under this traffic light,” Ackom said with a shy smile. “In the mornings, there is a public bath house near the main Zongo Junction station so that is where we go and take a shower.”

One of the dangers they face while sleeping in the open is that they sometimes get attacked by thieves.

“It is some of our own friends who come to steal the money we make in the day because they may not have made enough money,” he narrated.

“Some of our friends have hired kiosks to sleep in at night so they are more protected than us,” 16-year-old Alexander Arhin chips in.

But Ackom and his friends have found ways in order not to lose their money.

“We either give it to someone to save for the money for us or we send them to our parents through mobile money,” he explained.

Unlike Ackom, Arhin is not in school. He is a full time coconut seller but travels home often to visit his parents.

“I went to Swedru on Saturday to see my family and my friends because I miss them. I also had to go and give them the money I had made during the week,” Arhin said proudly.