A growing heap of uncollected refuse at the Tudu trotro bus stop has turned into a public health hazard, with traders and commuters in the Accra Central Business District demanding urgent action.

The pile of waste, which has been left uncleared since Monday, has swelled over the past three days and now emits a strong stench that is making trading unbearable for shop owners in the area.

Tudu is one of the busiest commercial hubs in the CBD, with thousands of traders, passengers and pedestrians passing through daily. But the stench and flies from the refuse have forced some businesses to operate under difficult conditions. “We can no longer stand it. The smell is too much, especially in the afternoon. Customers also complain, and some don’t even want to stay,” a shop owner told Global Information Centre. As of 3:00 pm on Wednesday, the waste was still sitting at the bus stop with no sign of city authorities clearing it. Flies and stray dogs were seen around the dump, raising fears of cholera, malaria and other sanitation-related diseases.

The situation has sparked frustration among residents who question the effectiveness of the current sanitation drive in the capital. “If we cannot even clear one heap at Tudu in the heart of Accra, then are we really winning the sanitation battle?_” another trader asked.

Environmental health experts have repeatedly warned that uncleared waste in crowded areas like Tudu creates breeding grounds for disease and undermines government efforts to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa.

Traders are now appealing to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and waste management companies to move in immediately and clear the refuse before the situation worsens.