Tension is mounting in the New Takoradi community against industries operating around the Takoradi Habour area. Residents suspect that the factories pollute the air resulting in tuberculosis and other respiratory infections. The companies include GHACEM, Ghana Bauxite Company and Takoradi Flour Mills. Kweku Owusu Peprah of Radio Maxx reported that the angry youth blocked the road leading to those companies. “They were not allowing any of the duty trucks that supply materials to Takoradi flour mills, Ghacem and other companies in that enclave from accessing the installations,” he said. According to the residents when the clinker is being discharged from the Takoradi Ports, the wind blows it to the community which affects their respiratory systems. It took police intervention to restore order, Peprah noted. The residents are also demanding the tarring of a 2km road linking the Takoradi Port and the city centre. Meanwhile the Environmental Protection Agency says it cannot confirm immediately if the allegations are true. Programme Officer in charge of Environmental Quality, George Diewuo told Joy News the EPA has just acquired equipment for air quality monitoring in the area. Source: Joy Business/Ghana