Engineer advocates ban of pit latrine

Agyina (BA), May 8, GNA - Mr Patrick Kwakye, the Kintampo South District Assembly Engineer, has called for a legislative Instrument to ban the construction and use of pit latrines in local communities.

He observed that the poor use and maintenance of pit latrines were the causes of cholera outbreaks and other intestinal diseases.

Mr Agyina was addressing the chiefs and people of Agyina, a farming community in the Kintampo South District to sensitise them on a sanitation programme launched in the district.

Dubbed 'Community Led Total Sanitation', the programme was initiated by Kintampo South District Assembly in collaboration with World Vision International Ghana, and is aimed at combating open defecation in the communities.

He explained that a modern household toilet ought to be promoted, explaining that Legislative Instrument would force landlords to build the in-house toilets.

Mr Kwakye said the district Assembly and the World vision had developed such household toilets which were very affordable adding that with support from the world vision, such toilets would be constructed in deprived households in the district on pilot basis.

Throwing more light, he explained that the programme which started last year was being piloted in 16 communities in the district ad it would be extended to other communities.

He said World Vision had designed special packages for communities which would achieve the objectives of the programme, and appealed to Assembly members and traditional rulers to support the programme for its success.

Mr Gyaataah Soragious Tang, the Assemblyman for Agyina, commended the World Vision and the district Assembly for selecting the community to benefit from the programme, and assured that the community would also provide the required support.

GNA

By Adu Simon, GNA