It is a smell that clenched the nostrils and settled deep in the throat, a constant reminder of the environmental crisis looming over this bustling trading hub in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region.

Coincidentally, it is within this area that bus stops serving both local and international travellers from the ECOWAS subregion are located.

For fruit sellers like Ama Kwansmah, who had been trading at the bus stop for some years, the situation is getting dire.

Her vibrant avocados and fresh oranges were displayed on a table, inches away from a gutter choked with plastic waste and God-knows-what-else.

The mosquitoes were becoming bolder by the day, and Ama feared for her health and her customers'.

"It's not just the smell," Ama explained, her voice laced with frustration.

"The gullies along the main road are getting worse, and it's like a breeding ground for diseases.

"We've complained to the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly countless times, but nothing seems to change."

Another trader who roasts plantains and yams close to one of the gutters complained bitterly about the situation.

Mankessim is a thriving commercial centre, attracting traders from all corners of Ghana.

Its ancient market, a hub of activity on Wednesdays and Saturdays, drew visitors from as far as Accra and Kumasi. But now, the very essence of the market is under threat.

The traders' concerns echoed those of many at  Mankessim.

As the sun began to set on another gruelling day, Ama packed up her produce, careful not to touch the contaminated gutter water.

These traders and hawkers said to be taxpayers, deserve to be free from the stench of waste and the threat of diseases.

They deserved to earn a living without risking their health.

 As the darkness closed in, Ama's thoughts turned to the next market day and the hope that somehow, someone would hear their cries for help.

The fate of Mankessim's Accra lorry station and its environs hang in the balance, a stark reminder of the consequences of neglect and the power of community resilience.