We refer to them in our local parlance as "borla-men". For sometime past, this was how people in these ventures were viewed. Least respect was mostly given to them; their occupation is used even in classrooms to deter lazy pupils to learn, inorder not to end up in such squalors in the future. Their job was ironically more of community service than work for pay except for the kind ones who tipped them with little monies after dumping their refuse Maybe, they weren't obligated to charge any fees, except for the scavenging stuff they do to gather a few useful items from the heap of garbage. This has being the routine, until an untimely shift in trade pattern.
Once there was an increase in price of Petrol, which we all know would affect general prices of goods and services. These borla-men, whom upon receiving support from both government and individuals, still do not have the nation at heart. Instead, kept on increasing and making compulsory the little monies given them. Since, there was little or no aggression from any authority, transformed it into a bye-law.
Any rational thinking being would bear with me that "paying for wastes" is quite incongruous, talk less of its significant prices. Monies charged are not that much but taking Ghcedis 2.00, Ghcedis 5.00, Ghcedis 10.00 and even more from a pauper is very challenging. The prices come in variety, the borla-men with just a stare at your container would pronounce the price. When prices are pronounced it's final, there is nothing that can be done about it, you either pay or take your refuse back home. Whereas, we all know we're living in a country where majority happen to be poor. These borla folks show no mercy at all, sometimes when inhabitants dispose their refuse but fail to meet their charge prices, they rain insults and curses on them. Unlike the former when borla-men come to you; help you dispose your refuse. These days it hasn't been so, instead they sit or stand at vantageous points and give instructions after which you walk to them to pay or they come around to take their monies.
Meanwhile, equal citizens of other countries are said to be paid or given inducement for disposing their garbage. So we can sense the short fall of our governance. It's therefore in our modus operandi to strategise than illicitly cheating our fellows due to the nation's weakness. Domestic waste usually contain renewables like plastics which can be used in manufacturing other items including buckets, chairs, tables.etc.
Nevertheless, indigenes who find it difficult giving out those monies to the borla-men, resort to the dumping of their waste at unapproved places. These wastes are mostly dumped behind buildings, in gutters, in water bodies.etc.
"The disposal of waste in unsanitary or unhygienic conditions, can lead to great health and environment problems. Food waste which are unsightly, unsanitary and smelly can lead to diseases and epidemics, if not disposed off properly" - a foreign journal says.
These sites become breeding places for insects, pests, snakes and rats, which causes harm to us. Skin diseases, eye problems, diarrhoea, typhoid, scabies, cholera, intestinal parasites are only some health risks that are created by improper disposal of refuse.
Furthermore, sanitary institutions like Zoom Alliance, Zoil and Platinum, whom we thought would salvage the situation have rather turned otherwise. Personnels of these institutions have taken over the borla trade and are even demanding more than that of the mere borla-men. Hence, the situation still remains with us.
Failure for the local government authorities and other sundries to look into this matter, would stimulate the spread of diseases.
_Merci Beaucoup_
Felix Acquaye
