M-CODe: Open defecation is the hub of WASH sector problems

The Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) has revealed that open defecation is the hub of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector challenges and sounded a clarion call to stakeholders to prioritize the eradication of open defecation, citing it as the root cause of many WASH-related problems.

“Open defecation is the pinnacle of WASH sector challenges; in fact, it is the root cause of many problems in the WASH sector as it is linked to other WASH issues, such as inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene, and water contamination.

“Addressing open defecation is crucial to resolving other WASH-related problems, as the impact of open defecation goes beyond health, affecting education, the economy, and overall well-being,” Mr. Francis Ameyibor, M-CODe National Convenor, stated at the end of the 2024 Ghana WASH Week celebration.

The Ghana Coalition of NGOs in the Water and Sanitation Sector (CONIWAS) organized the 2024 Ghana WASH Week on the general theme “WASH Prioritization and Its Impacts on Social Development."

Speaking to newsmen during the closing ceremony in Accra, Mr. Ameyibor explained that, in essence, open defecation is the hub of WASH sector challenges, and tackling it is essential to unraveling the broader issues in the sector.

The M-CODe National Convenor noted that open defecation is a critical issue that affects public health and environmental sustainability and may derail the country's progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) six by 2030.

Mr. Ameyibor noted that it is crucial to understand the complexities of the WASH sector and how addressing open defecation can have a ripple effect on resolving other related issues.

The M-CODe, National Convenor, emphasized that resolving open defecation issues would significantly address major challenges in the WASH sector.

To accelerate efforts to combat open defecation, he said M-CODe is in the process of rolling out national action plans to recognize and reward communities and traditional authorities that have achieved open defecation-free (ODF) status.

“Through our various media platforms, we shall also expose areas still practicing open defecation, promoting a sense of accountability,” he said.

The M-CODe programme aims to galvanize action among stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities, to join forces in the quest for a cleaner and healthier Ghana.

Mr. Ameyibor urged stakeholders to support the M-CODe call to action for a collective effort to address the persistent issue of open defecation, which poses significant health risks and environmental hazards.

“By working together, Ghana can achieve the goal of universal access to safe sanitation and hygiene, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The time for action is now! Let us unite to end open defecation and create a cleaner, healthier Ghana for all,” Mr. Ameyibor stated.

Meanwhile, Professor Simon Mariwah, PhD, from the Department of Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast has emphasized the need for institutional review, improved coordination, and data-driven decision-making to prioritize WASH in the national development agenda.

Speaking on the topic “WASH Prioritization and Its Impacts on Social Development” at the just-ended 2024 Ghana WASH Week celebration in Accra, Prof. Mariwah also stressed the integration of WASH into livelihood activities.

He urged stakeholders to identify and admit WASH as a societal problem, quantify its impact, develop strategies, commit resources, and monitor progress, adding that “by prioritizing WASH, Ghana can improve the health, wealth, and dignity of its citizens.”

Ms. Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Chairperson of CONIWAS, explained that a comprehensive approach to WASH has the potential to transform the health and well-being of Ghanaians, particularly in vulnerable communities, and sets an example for other countries in the region to follow.

“We must not end our advocacy, but let us all work together to raise awareness about the importance of WASH in enhancing public health and disease prevention in Ghana,” Ms. Awinpoka Akanyani stated.

The 2024 Ghana WASH Week served as a platform to highlight the essential role of WASH in achieving the SDGs and its impact on public health, economic growth, educational outcomes, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

The dialogue brought together various stakeholders, including government representatives, development partners, WASH sector players, the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe), and the media.

The 2024 WASH Week includes activities such as stakeholder engagements, media campaigns, sanitation walks, school visits, and religious teachings on WASH.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the World Bank, the GAMA SWP project, UNICEF, the IRC, WaterAid Ghana, Global Communities, Plan International Ghana, SNV, CRS, APDO, and PATH Ghana.

The objectives of the dialogue are to raise public awareness, advocate for increased investment, empower communities, and foster stakeholder collaboration to achieve sustainable WASH services for all.

Other activities to mark the 2024 WASH Week include discussion on institutional frameworks for WASH and facilitating an open conversation about how we can strengthen these structures.

A dialogue on WASH and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), aims to educate participants on the linkages between WASH and NTDs and highlight relevant interventions, in collaboration with WaterAid Ghana.

CONIWAS members across different zones would also engage in various activities, including district- and community-level engagements.

In the Northern Zone, APDO worked with the Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders to discuss WASH's impact on public health in the Nanton District.

Similar activities focusing on education, including school visits, will take place within the Middle Zone in the Kwahu Afram Plains North-Eastern Region.

Additional activities included radio discussions on WASH by CARO Ghana, ProNet North, Global Communities, and SNV in the Upper West Region, a visit to the St. Johns Integrated Special Secondary Technical School in Navrongo in the Upper East Region, and WASH sermons at mosques last Friday in Tamale.