Bono M-CODe members with officials of World Vision and other officials after the inauguration
Yaw Attah Arhin, the WASH Technical Specialist of World Vision-Ghana has observed that despite the increasing political and public interest and greater attention in recent times, progress towards ending open defecation has been “painfully slow.”
That notwithstanding, he is urging the government and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to continue to provide leadership and strategic direction for implementing the roadmap for ending open defecation in Ghana.
“For believers of a better world for children, World Vision is concerned that open defecation is being practiced by some 17.7% of Ghana’s population, according to the Population and Housing Census of 2021. This translates to almost 5.5 million people who practice open defecation on a daily basis in Ghana,” he stated.
Mr. Attah Arhin was speaking in Sunyani last Tuesday during the inauguration of the Bono regional branch of the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe).
M-CODe, which was first launched in September 2018, is being constituted in all the 16 regions to, among others, launch a relentless war against open defecation across the country, and campaign for improved sanitation and increased access to potable water.
Mr. Attah Arhin said it was sad to observe that 3,600 children die every year from diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, when these are easily preventable with affordable and proven interventions such as the use of improved latrines and hand-washing with soap under running water.
“This was what motivated World Vision Ghana to facilitate the establishment and the launch of the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) on 19th September, 2018 in partnership with Kings Hall Media and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources,” he explained further.
“The journey you are embarking on today, as already said – ending open defecation – may not appear attractive and it does not appear attractive but one thing is clear; that you are on a rescue mission to save and to transform lives, something you should be proud and positive about,” he told members of the coalition.
Collaboration
He asked them to work closely with ministries, departments and agencies to identify and implement innovative interventions to end open defecation in the region within a reasonable period.
“For us at World Vision, nothing can be more important to child wellbeing than access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation and hygiene. This is necessary for creating a conducive environment for quality education and health care delivery,” Mr. Attah Arhin said.
The National Convener of M-CODe, Francis Ameyibor, said the Coalition is expected to develop the capacity of the media to serve as advocates for improved sanitation, especially towards the eradication of open defecation.
He entreated members to challenge relevant authorities and leadership at all levels to take results-oriented actions to stop open defecation and also support public sensitization aimed at improved sanitation.
The Bono Regional Convener of the Coalition, Dennis Kwadwo Peprah, commended World Vision Ghana and Kings Hall Media for their foresight and efforts towards the planning and the setting up of the coalition.
According to him, there are pockets of communities in the region where open defecation is still being practiced and called for an all-hands approach to halt the menace.
The Bono Regional Environmental Health Officer, Humphrey Brandt, and his counterpart from the Bono East region, Lamptey Gyan, also took turns to address the programme.
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