Ban use of bucket latrines –Environmentalist

Accra, April 30, GNA – About 20 per cent of Ghana's population do not have any form of latrines and therefore resort to open defecation, Mr. Demedeme Naa Lenason, Director, Environmental Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development said on Thursday.

He said, also 31.45 per cent of households in Ghana used public latrines as compared to 8.5 per cent using water closet, 22 per cent pit latrine, 6.9 per cent KVIP and 6.9 per cent attend nature's call in other people's houses.

Mr. Lenason at a press briefing on the “Health Menace of Public Latrines” added that enhancing access to adequate sanitary facilities was imperative to improving the quality of life as well as poverty reduction.

He noted that government and development partners were investing in the water and sanitation sector in both rural and urban communities to enhance the achievement of the MDGs.

Mr Lenason, however added that with the increase in population and migration, the few facilities were over-stretched thereby creating health hazards.

Mr Lenanon therefore urged Metropolitan, Municipal and the District Assemblies to ban the defecation and urination in open spaces adding, “This can only be effect if you construct more of these facilities”.

He added that MMDAs must also take steps to ban the use of pan and bucket latrines and enforce the law on the use of domestic toilets.

GNA