Ministry of Sanitation And Water Resources Launches Program For Basic Sanitation Services
A day workshop has been held for the various WASH stakeholders and Environmental Health Officers in the Ashanti region.
The program will also see the district levels to address unhygienic sanitation issues confronting poor people in the country.
USAID is the proud donor and sponsor for this new program under the WASH project implemented by Global Communities.
The Programs Manager for the Ministry, Mrs Esi Boni-Morkla speaking at the launch in Kumasi highlighted that majority of poor people rely on unhygienic sanitation systems.
This she explained is due to poor management and that only 15% of Ghana’s over 27 million population have access to safe basic Sanitation.
Mrs Bona-Morkla noted that this has resulted in the high rates of open defecation especially among the poor.
She however outlined the guidelines to target and provide basic sanitation for the poor as follows
1, Community led total Sanitation approach will be used as entry point to target the poor and vulnerable.
2, Support may be given on a case by case basis, based on issues.
3, The process of identifying and targeting the poor will be done by the MMDAs
4, User education will be given to stakeholders at the community level and the MMDAs to ensure sustainability of sanitary facilities provided.
Mrs Esi Bona-Morkla reiterated that this will contribute to improved health, dignity and quality of life for all.
She explained that the main objective is to achieve 100% open defecation free (ODF) status and adequate access to Sanitation and Hygiene by 2030 which will emphasis for the poor and vulnerable.
M-CODe media coalition against open defecation representative (Regional Coordinator) in the Ashanti Region Obaa Adwoa Nelson Aweh, Wontumi TV’s Broadcast Journalist gave a closing remark at the program.
She applauded the Sanitation Ministry for bringing up such a program to help bring good Sanitation to the door step of the poor.
Obaa Adwoa also urged the Environmental Health Officers to include the media in their work to help reach out to more people.
By: Obaa Adwoa Nelson Aweh