The Director of Operations at the World Vision International Ghana, Sagane Thiaw, has urged government to pay serious attention to the issue of sanitation and take pragmatic steps to take the nation from the shame of being one of the unclean countries in the World.
He said it is unacceptable for only 15 percent of the Ghanaian population to have access to improved toilet facilities, while the rest of the population either share latrines or engage in open defecation.
Paying critical attention to sanitation, he noted will prevent a lot of needless ailments, deaths, poverty and erase the tag of being one of the poorest nations when it comes to sanitation.
Mr. Thiaw was speaking at a public lecture and panel discussion on Sanitation in Accra.
It is said that Ghana is second after South Sudan when it comes to poor sanitation globally.
Mr. Thiaw noted that improved sanitation is fundamental to qualify health, food security, poverty reduction and socio-economic development.
He pledged World Vision International Ghana commitment to partnering other agencies in promoting water, sanitation and hygiene through the country.
The Chairman of Tersus Ghana, an Environmental Think Tank, Professor Chris Gordon stated that open defecation is a disgrace to Ghana and all citizens must help in the fight against the practice.
He underscored the needs for a holistic approach in tackling the issue of sanitation.
On budget allocation to the Water and Sanitation Ministry he explained that government of Ghana contribution is woefully inadequate.
He wondered why Government have to wait for donor agencies to finance the cleaning of the environment and ensuring a clean Ghana.
Prof. Gordon said the country must look for resources to finance sanitation programmes and stop depending on International donors to clean waste generated by citizens.
He supported the idea for the establishment of national sanitation authority, National Sanitation Fund, National Sanitation brigade among other initiatives but emphasised the need for the enforcement of regulations.
Prof. Gordon called for interministerial approach in tackling the menace adding the issue of sanitation should not be left for the Ministry of water and sanitation.
He suggested hamonisation of actions of all stakeholders, build synergies among actors, add value to waste and work towards attitudinal change using social media.
Panelists at the discussion session urged citizens to do the right thing when it comes to keeping the environment clean.
By Dominic Hlordzi.
