By Jones Anlimah
Several communities across Ghana are making remarkable progress in sanitation, thanks to interventions by key stakeholders including Plan International Ghana. Under its Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (I-PADEV) Project, a total of 16 participatory communities have been declared Open defecation free (ODF). This achievement aligns with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all.
So far, 10 communities in the Jasikan Municipality of the Oti Region, including Asele, Lekanti, Nanankor, Udey, Atwereboana, Atonkor, Akaa, Koensim, Ketsi Nkwanta, and Dzoku, have attained ODF status. In the North East Region, six communities in West Mamprusi—Boayini #1, Boayini #2, Kpabugu, Zanguga, Sagadugu #1, and Sagadugu #2—have also been declared ODF. Additionally, four more communities—Gbani, Diani, Tinkaya, and Manga in the North East Region are in the final stages of meeting ODF requirements.
A visit by GBC News to Koensim, one of the communities in Jasikan district of the Oti region revealed a significant transformation. Unlike many rural areas where open defecation and improper waste disposal remain challenges, Koensim community was visibly clean, with no traces of human waste in open spaces. Every household has been encouraged to construct a toilet facility, a key requirement for achieving ODF status and compliance is near universal.
As a result of demonstration latrines constructed in the community, households have realized that there are a lot of local materials available in their community that can be used for latrine construction.
Speaking on the impact of the initiative, the Chief of Koensim, Fuseini Musa, expressed gratitude to Plan International Ghana for supporting their sanitation efforts. He noted, “Plan International Ghana has brought us water; you again have brought us to a situation where our sanitation has improved. Thanks to Plan International Ghana, we no longer record high cases of faecal-related diseases in this community because of your intervention to encourage each household to build a toilet facility.”
To sustain this achievement, community bye-laws have been introduced, including a GHC 150 fine for improper faecal waste disposal. The enforcement of these regulations has led to a significant decline in sanitation-related diseases, further improving public health.
Plan International Ghana’s efforts highlight the importance of community-driven approaches to sanitation. By encouraging behavioral change, promoting toilet construction, and enforcing sanitation by-laws, these initiatives are not only improving hygiene but also contributing to national and global targets for sustainable development.
