By Edward Dankwah Accra, November 19, GNA – Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA)...
By Edward Dankwah
Accra, November 19, GNA – Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), has called on Ghanaian families to consider toilet building as an essential requirement rather than an optional expense.
He mentioned that the nation's advancements in sanitation would continue to be sluggish unless people assume more accountability.
The Minister announced this during the World Toilet Day 2025 ceremony in Accra, which took place with the local theme, “Accelerating Change: Toilet for All, Everyone’s Responsibility.”
It was coordinated by the MLGCRA in partnership with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, development partners, and all pertinent stakeholders.
Mr. Ibrahim mentioned that the topic highlighted the pressing necessity of shared responsibility, going beyond governmental action, to ensure everyone has access to safe and environmentally friendly sanitation facilities.
He voiced worry about Ghana's sluggish development, even though the country is classified as a lower-middle-income nation, pointing out that findings from the 2023 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey showed just 25 percent of households had access to fundamental sanitation facilities.
Mr. Ibrahim mentioned that the condition was worse in certain areas, as indicated by the 2023 MICS report, which revealed open defecation rates of 49 percent in the Upper East, 40 percent in the North East, and 38 percent in the Savannah Regions.
"These figures highlight more than just infrastructure shortfalls; they reveal significant disparities in the provision and funding of sanitation services," he added.
He observed that nations like Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia, despite possessing fewer resources, were advancing more rapidly in terms of sanitation access compared to Ghana.
Mr. Ibrahim highlighted that limited household investment in toilets, persistent lack of funding for sanitation, fast urban growth without corresponding infrastructure, poor implementation of sanitation regulations, and disjointed cooperation within the sector are major structural and behavioral issues confronting Ghana.
The Minister pointed out that Ghana doesn't require additional research but rather more action, as effective measures like Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), toilet revolving funding programs, and involvement of the private sector in cleaning and toilet building have shown success in various communities.
"What is required at this moment is scale, speed, and ongoing dedication," he emphasized.
He urged focused consideration of underprivileged areas, such as northern regions, low-income urban neighborhoods, island communities around the Volta Lake, and areas on the outskirts of cities.
Mr. Ibrahim highlighted poor sanitation as a financial strain, noting that more than 25 percent of outpatient cases were associated with diseases related to sanitation, over 5,000 child deaths under five each year from diarrheal illnesses, and more than 60 percent of surface water in urban areas polluted with fecal material.
The Minister stated that realizing "Toilet for All" necessitates collaborative efforts from families, customary leaders, religious groups, private enterprises, the media, MMDAs, development stakeholders, and educational and medical institutions.
Madam Korama Ocran, a WASH Officer with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), stated that climate change, aging infrastructure, and insufficient funding are placing significant strain on sanitation systems.
She mentioned that restrooms need to be prepared for the future, inclusive, durable, and have minimal emissions.
Madam Ocran stated that UNICEF is prepared to collaborate with the Government of Ghana and other partners to encourage changes in behavior related to hygiene and sanitation, support WASH initiatives in schools and healthcare centers, and ensure that no child attends school and no mother gives birth without access to safe sanitation.
She urged the government to focus on continuous funding for WASH, distribute resources, implement regulations, and incorporate climate adaptability into sanitation development.
The WASH Officer urged the media to spread the message that sanitation is essential for saving lives, assist in overcoming taboos, and encourage changes in behavior.
She called on communities to unite their efforts in making Ghana free from open defecation.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie
