The Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF), a non-governmental organisation championing environmental advocacy, sustainable sanitation and community development initiatives in Ghana, has secured funding to construct 175 biodigester toilets free of charge for households in Jamestown as part of efforts to tackle the persistent challenge of open defecation along the coastal enclave.
The project, funded by the SELAVIP Foundation, forms part of a broader intervention aimed at improving sanitation conditions and promoting healthier living environments within vulnerable coastal communities in Accra.
The construction of the 175 biodigester toilets is expected to commence soon following final community engagements and technical assessments.
Mr. Peter Asiedu, Executive Director of the Nurture Nature Foundation, disclosed this in an exclusive chat with the Daily Statesman, explaining that the initiative seeks to support the sanitation agenda of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly while contributing to national efforts to eliminate open defecation.
According to him, the construction of biodigester toilets would significantly improve access to household sanitation facilities in Jamestown, where limited infrastructure has long forced many residents to resort to open defecation, particularly along the beaches.
Mr. Asiedu noted that the intervention aligns with NNF’s broader mission of promoting environmentally responsible sanitation solutions while empowering communities to adopt sustainable hygiene practices.
“Access to safe and dignified sanitation is fundamental to public health and environmental protection. Through this partnership with the SELAVIP Foundation, we are able to provide 175 households in Jamestown with biodigester toilet facilities at no cost, which will go a long way in reducing open defecation in the area,” he said.
He explained that biodigester toilet systems were environmentally friendly sanitation technologies that convert human waste into liquid effluent and biogas through an anaerobic digestion process, eliminating the need for traditional septic tanks and reducing the risk of environmental contamination.
Mr. Asiedu added that beyond the construction of the facilities, the foundation would also undertake community education programmes aimed at promoting behavioural change, proper sanitation practices and environmental stewardship.
“We believe that infrastructure alone is not enough. Community sensitisation is equally important to ensure residents understand the health, environmental and social implications of open defecation and take ownership of the sanitation facilities being provided,” he stated.
The NNF Executive Director further indicated that the initiative formed part of a broader strategy by the organisation to integrate sanitation improvements with environmental sustainability and community empowerment programmes.
Over the years, the Nurture Nature Foundation has implemented a range of projects across Ghana focusing on environmental conservation, sustainable sanitation and youth empowerment. The organisation is also actively promoting aquaculture in schools as a practical approach to environmental education, food security and youth skills development.
Mr. Asiedu expressed optimism that the Jamestown biodigester project would serve as a model for other coastal and densely populated communities grappling with sanitation challenges.
“We hope this intervention will demonstrate how partnerships between civil society organisations, development partners and local authorities can deliver practical solutions to long-standing sanitation problems,” he said.
He also called on residents and community leaders in Jamestown to support the project and ensure the facilities are properly maintained to guarantee their long-term sustainability.
About NNF
The Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF) was established in response to the growing need for a proactive and impactful non-governmental organisation dedicated to addressing social and environmental inequalities in Ghana.
The foundation is committed to promoting sustainable development, protecting the environment, and empowering communities to actively participate in building a healthier and more equitable society. Through advocacy, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, NNF works to create solutions that address environmental degradation, poor sanitation, and social disparities affecting vulnerable communities.
Its vision is to build a future where all Ghanaians enjoy a balanced and thriving environment—one that protects biodiversity, reduces pollution, and supports sustainable economic growth for present and future generations.
NNF’s mission is to promote sustainable and eco-friendly environments in Ghana through integrated coastal and agricultural management, community-led waste management initiatives, and biodiversity conservation programmes that empower communities and enhance environmental resilience.
About SELAVIP
SELAVIP is a private foundation created by Father Josse van Rest (S.J.) that supports housing projects for very poor urban families in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Its focus is on “extreme social emergency” faced by urban groups dwelling in precarious and unsafe conditions and places, or exposed to evictions. SELAVIP aims to open realistic alternatives for those who do not “fit” into any existing housing programs, public or private.
Its call is open to a wide range of proposals that, on one hand, can deal with different aspects of the complex reality of homelessness in developing regions, from housing production to promotion of community based processes to secure shelter and, on the other hand, address acute housing problems of the poorest of poor in cities of developing countries.
It gives priority to initiatives that help the poor access land and secure basic shelter rather than to those seeking to improve shelter that has already reached some physical or legal consolidation
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