Mr. Yaw Attah Arhin, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Technical Specialist at World Vision Ghana (WVG), has underscored the severe health and socio-economic ramifications of open defecation, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention. Speaking at the launch of the Upper West Regional branch of the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe) and a strategic stakeholder engagement forum in Wa, Mr. Arhin highlighted alarming statistics revealing the health hazards associated with open defecation. He cited a UNICEF study indicating the presence of millions of viruses and bacteria in human feces, contributing to diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever, which claim thousands of lives annually.
Mr. Arhin stressed that preventing such diseases is achievable through simple, cost-effective interventions like improved toilet facilities and regular handwashing with soap under running water. He urged robust collaboration between M-CODe, government agencies, and local authorities to implement innovative solutions aimed at ending open defecation within a reasonable timeframe.
Furthermore, Mr. Arhin called attention to the dire need for safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and hygiene practices in schools and healthcare facilities. He urged the government and development partners to prioritize investments in sustainable WASH services to create a conducive environment for education and healthcare.
Mr. Francis Ameyibor, the National Coordinator of M-CODe, emphasized the crucial role of the media in promoting sanitation awareness and accountability. He urged media personnel to report on sanitation issues, commend open defecation-free communities, and highlight areas needing improvement.
Mr. Suala Abdul Wahab, the Upper West Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), welcomed the initiative to enhance media capacity in sanitation reporting. He underscored the importance of adequate resources to enable effective coverage of sanitation-related issues.
Representatives from various government departments and agencies, including the Regional Coordinating Council, Environmental Health and Sanitation Department, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Department of Community Development, and the Ghana Education Service, attended the forum. The Coalition also launched the “M-CODe Election 2024 Open Defecation Free Manifesto,” advocating for concerted efforts to eradicate open defecation and improve public health.
