Kadjebi: Mr. Fred Ackah, a Senior Environmental Health Assistant, has called on residents of the Kadjebi District to construct household latrines as a key intervention to improve sanitation and eliminate open defecation. He emphasized that the construction and use of toilet facilities within homes are vital for promoting good hygiene and preventing the spread of communicable diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, and diarrhea, which pose a significant public health risk in the district.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ackah made this appeal during a community sensitization and outreach program at Kadjebi Freetown, a suburb of Kadjebi in the Oti Region. The program is part of a broader district-level initiative aimed at reducing open defecation and improving environmental cleanliness. Ackah highlighted the dangers of open defecation, pointing out that it invites vectors like flies, which can transmit harmful pathogens to humans by contaminating food and water sources.
Mr. Ackah stressed the importance of every household taking steps to construct and use a toilet facility, as the practice of open defecation not only jeopardizes individual health but also endangers the entire community. He noted that promoting household latrines aligns with Ghana's commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) by 2030, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
During the event, Mr. Ackah also educated residents on basic hygiene practices such as regular handwashing, proper waste disposal, and maintaining clean surroundings to prevent disease. He urged community members to adopt positive sanitation behaviors and support the ongoing efforts by the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit to promote healthier communities.
Participants of the sensitization program expressed appreciation for the initiative and showed willingness to construct household latrines. However, they requested support in the form of construction materials, financial aid, or technical expertise to assist low-income families. In response, Mr. Ackah assured them that technical advice and support would be provided by the Kadjebi District Directorate of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit.
Furthermore, Mr. Ackah advised residents to confine their domestic animals to prevent them from contributing to environmental defecation and causing property damage. He warned that stray animals would be impounded, and their owners sanctioned according to local by-laws. The Environmental Health Directorate plans to continue similar sensitization activities across other communities in the district to end open defecation and encourage healthy living.
