Residents of Dunkonah, a fast-growing residential community near the West Hills Mall in Accra, are rising up against what they describe as a looming environmental and health disaster—an ongoing steel factory project spearheaded by Chinese-owned Sunda International.
At the heart of their protest is the company’s reported use of caustic soda in its operations, a highly corrosive chemical that contains high concentrations of sodium.
Concerned residents warn that improper handling or exposure to such substances could pose a grave threat to both human life and the local environment.
The steel factory, currently under construction, is expected to produce roofing sheets, nails, and iron rods. But locals argue that Dunkonah, which was originally developed by SSNIT as a residential enclave, is no place for a heavy industrial operation.
“This area was designed for peaceful living, not for hazardous industry,” said one resident. “We cannot accept a facility that runs around the clock, pollutes our air, and potentially leaks harmful chemicals into our surroundings.”
Community leaders and homeowners have expressed outrage at the Ga South Municipal Assembly, accusing it of failing to conduct due diligence before granting the construction permit.
They claim the assembly overlooked key environmental and social impact assessments that should have prevented industrial activity in the middle of a residential neighbourhood.
According to eyewitness accounts, noise and dust from ongoing construction are already affecting daily life, disrupting sleep and exposing children and elderly residents to unsafe conditions.
The fear is that once fully operational, the plant’s emissions, waste, and chemical processes could worsen the situation dramatically.
To stop the factory from becoming a permanent fixture, residents have filed petitions to several government agencies and regulatory bodies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SSNIT, the Ga South Municipal Assembly, and the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association.
They are demanding an immediate suspension of the project and a full-scale investigation into how it was approved in the first place.
“The health and safety of our families must come first,” another resident stated. “We are not against investment or development, but it must be done in a way that respects the integrity of our community and the well-being of those who live here.”
As tension builds, residents await action from authorities, hoping to prevent what many fear could become a long-term public health crisis.
