Medical and sanitary report / Government of the Gold Coast.

  • Gold Coast. Medical Department.
Date:
[1916]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical and sanitary report / Government of the Gold Coast. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/28 (page 14)
    The number of prosecutions for various offences committed were 7,455 with 7,349 convictions, and fines amounting to £3,206 4s. 6d. were inflicted. Further sites in the Accra Segregation Area have been granted to mercantile firms, and two firms have acquired sites outside the Segregation Area and have erected substantial houses. During the year twenty-five large water holes at Christiansborg have been filled in and the ground roughly graded, and numerous smaller depressions which hold water were also filled in and levelled up. The work was done partly by Prison labour and partly by Sanitary labour gangs. The amount of earth moved for the purpose is approximately 12,700 cubic yards. Of the two pools remaining one is a fetish pool, and the other cannot be dealt with, except as part of the Christiansborg surface water drainage scheme, provision for which was included in Sanitary Improvements Estimates for 1917. Other old quarry pits in the Segregation Area, Accra, were also filled in. Towards the end of the year a start was made on the second main drain in connection with the Accra surface water drainage scheme. This drain and its tributaries are of the first importance in reducing the number of anopheline breeding areas round Victoriaborg, and it is to be hoped that it will be found possible to complete the scheme, and the very necessary filling that is required in connection with it, before the onset of the 1917 rains. The new slaughter house in Accra was opened for the purpose of slaughtering on September 19th. New rules for the regulation of the slaughter house and the control of meat were made by the Governor in Council on June 5th. B.—MEASURES TO SPREAD THE KNOWLEDGE OF HYGIENE AND SANITATION. No opportunity is lost in spreading the knowledge of hygiene and sanitation in as simple and effective manner as possible. So far, however, there is general unbelief in the benefits that accrue therefrom, and this results in indifference. The subject of hygiene is taught in a simple and practical manner in schools, and one can only hope that it will bear fruit in later years. C.—RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK. In 1914 *it was stated : “ Since all works in connection with sanitary improvements involve the outlay of money, the present would hardly seem the time to put forward any recommendations.” The same applies at this time. But, again, I would put on record the necessity that there is for the appointment of trained European Building Inspectors, and some definite scheme for the improvement of water supplies in the smaller towns. Accra, 27th April, 1917. D. Alexander, Senior Sanitary Officer.