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21.10.2014 General News

Possible cholera outbreak looms in Ashanti region as residents still use pan latrines

By Myjoyonline.com|Faustine Akwa
Possible cholera outbreak looms in Ashanti region as residents still use pan latrines
21.10.2014 LISTEN

A possible cholera outbreak looms in Nerebehi in the Ashanti region as residents in and around the community still rely on pan latrines to attend to nature's call.

Despite a court order banning the use of pan latrines, residents say they will only comply with the court order if authorities replace the 50-year old toilet facility with a modern one.

Speaking to Luv FMs Erastus Asare Donkor, residents said they have to deal with the unbearable stench emanating from the toilet facility daily.

They said those who visit the facility have to ward off a million flies before they are able to enter and attend to nature's call into buckets placed in holes.

The buckets are then emptied into a hole which has been left uncovered.

A letter intercepted by Erastus Asare Donkor dated 7 August 2014, signed by a Deputy Director at the Regional Coordinating Council Douglas Anorful (for the Ashanti regional Minister) directs District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Nwabiagya Nana Asare Bediako to demolish the public pan latrine.

But Mr Bediako said even though the assembly is aware of the directive, they have not been able to demolish the facility because it is the only one that serves the community.

“We know we have to demolish that facility, the assembly is organising itself to find a bulldozer so that we can do that. But aside that we have gotten someone to put a new facility because the old one is the only one available”.

He indicated that it was necessary to allow the new toilet facility to be completed before the old one is pulled down otherwise residents will take advantage of the unavailability of an adequate toilet facility to defecate around the community.

He however assured that the new toilet facility will be completed in time to prevent the outbreak of cholera.

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