DAMAK ....... Publication on Sanitation and Health

ABOUT 150 COMMUNITIES IN UPPER WEST, FACED OPEN DEFECATION FREE

 In barely seven months now, a total of 138 communities in the Upper West Region were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) from January to June 2019, bringing the total number of  communities that faced open defecation free in the Region to 674. Per ghananewsagency.org early report.

According to the pre - analysis made, almost all the 88 communities in the Nandom District were declared open defecation free whilst 156 out of 227 communities in the Wa West District were also open dedication free.

Nadowli Kaleo had 103 of its 141 communities being practicing open defecation free while 78 out of 105 communities in the Daffiama Bussie Issa were also part of the act.

The Lawra Municipal and the rest were 71 out of 94; Wa East District 48 out of 138; Lambussie District 45 out of 58; Jirapa Municipal 37 out of 116; Sissala West District 31 out of 55; Sissala East 10 out of 59; and Wa Municipal Seven out of 86 communities were ODF.

Update information gathered by damak sanitation and Health News Reporter, akgri m. Daniel has reveled that the communities have been rapidly increasing in the open defecation free act due to the delance response from the government.

Speaking to Mr Alhassan Inusah Agambire, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Upper West Regional Environmental Health and Sanitation Department, Coordinating Council, Municipal and District Assemblies, as well as other stakeholders and partners in the sanitation sector, no effective steps so far have been made to resolve the situation, yet, the focus is on the set 2021 for the Region to attain ODF status ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of 2030.

On an interview with him, he said the number of communities who are facing the open defecation free is still increasing but couldn't give out exact statistics on the number of communities that it has been extended to but it may be hitting to 150 communities.

He said the achievement within the set period is not encouraging because of the indifferent attitude of people in some community towards sanitation issues.

Mr. Agambire said the only fear is the possibility outbreak of sanitation related disease in the area during this rainy season. Hence, appealing on government and nongovernmental organizations to come to their aid to control the matter.

" We are putting all efforts to ensure that the region attained open defecating free status by 2021, we are also appealing to the community and individual's to embrace and comply with the community  sanitation rules and concept to help bring open defecation to an end". He added.

By: Akgri M. Daniel.