Concept to educate people on sanitation through drama launched

Ho, June 3, GNA - A concept to hype issues of sanitation, health, including adolescent reproduction and malaria through drama, music, poetry, comedy and street jams was launched in Ho on Wednesday.

It is dubbed Festival of Theatre for Environmental Sanitation (FESTHENSA) under the auspices of the Youth Freelance Association for the Advancement of Education and Tourism (YOFAAET), a Ho based non-governmental organisation.

Alex Kokou Fiakowodoua, YOFAAET Director, said it appeared drama was the only way now left to carry the message of sanitation to the people.

He said the advantages of drama were that it entertains, educates and occupies time of performers and audiences, which they would have used on frivolous activities.

Mr Fiakowodoua said the youth now were exploring sex in lieu of other forms of entertainment.

He said FESTHENSA which started in Togo in 2004 and being premiered in Ho, this year is expected to be a yearly affair.

The week long programme being supported by the Volta Regional Office of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) would use drama sketches, music, dance, poetry and games at open places to draw the attention of people to hear the messages.

There would be a visit to Wli in the Hohoe Municipal Area on Friday to educate that community on dangers posed to the survival of the celebrated Wli Waterfalls by felling trees in its vicinity.

Mr Ramond Buamah, the Accountant of the Ho Municipal Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, said good sanitation would reduce the heavy bills paid out for the treatment of preventable diseases.

Mr Kassim Mireku, Ho Municipal Director of CNC, said if culture was a way of life then the haphazard disposal of waste could not be cultural and must be stopped.

Mr Mawutor Buamah, Environmental Health Officer, said bad sanitation practices often reported in the cities were creeping into the Ho Municipality.

He said his outfit was in a dilemma as to what to do to tenants in government quarters still using the pan latrine, banned years ago.

Cultural groups from Togo and Ghana performed pieces on family planning, avoidance of HIV/AIDS, deforestation among others at the launch.

GNA