Tamale: The toilet facility at the Aboabo Market in the Tamale Metropolis is in a deplorable state, raising health concerns among its users, particularly women. The facility's condition, lacking basic hygiene and a space for menstrual hygiene management, has drawn attention.
According to Ghana News Agency, the issue was highlighted during a media visit to assess the facility as part of this year's Ghana Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Week. The Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), in collaboration with the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe), organized the 2025 Ghana WASH Week. The event included activities such as disseminating a new standard for reusable menstrual pads.
The 2025 WASH Week carried the theme 'WASH for a Healthy Ghana, Everyone, Everywhere,' while M-CODe focused on 'Dignity for all, toilets for all: End Open Defecation Now.' This annual event aims to raise public awareness about WASH issues and advocate for increased investment in sanitation systems, equitable access to facilities, and partnerships to achieve national and global WASH goals.
Miss Fahimatu Mohammed, a student assisting her mother in the market, expressed her reluctance to use the facility during her menstrual period. She stated, 'When I am in my menstrual period, I prefer to go home to change because it is not conducive at the facility in the market, and one could even end up getting infections.'
Madam Mary Mbabilah, a market trader, shared similar frustrations, noting that despite users paying to use the facility, the conditions remained poor. The inadequate facilities have led to increased open defecation in the market, with some traders using enclosed spaces to change sanitary pads.
Traders have appealed to the government to improve WASH facilities at the market, emphasizing that enhanced sanitation would protect health and restore dignity to women and girls working and trading in the area.
