Bolga Saint John's Benefit From Toilet Facilities

Bolgatanga, Oct. 3, GNA - The Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese in the Upper East Region in partnership with Kindermissionswerk of Germany has donated a toilet facility to the Saint John's Junior High School, in a bid to stop open defecation by pupils.

The four toilet and urinal facilities with two over-head tanks, would ultimately contribute to the pupils' health and academic performance.

The donation was part of a Health Implementation Programme for School Children in the Diocese, which covered five Districts and one Municipal in the Upper East Region and the West Mamprusi District in the Northern Region.

Mr Bismark Akasoe, the Project Coordinator in charge of Health at the Diocesan Development Office, said the health programme for school children covered 118 schools, and was aimed at screening and treating pupils to promote good healthy living amongst them.

He said the project would encourage the pupils to adapt and practice positive behaviour on good personal and environmental hygiene.

Madam Faustina Agongo, the Headmistress of the school, described as unbearable the rate of open defecation among pupils in the school and thanked the Diocese for the initiative.

Mr John Bobi, the Chief Inspector of Schools in the Region, said with the support of government, USAID, World Vision International, ActionAid Ghana, UNICEF and the Diocese, most of the schools in the Region had lavatories and hand washing facilities.

He entreated teachers to help the pupils' cultivate the habit good hygiene practices, 'so that it becomes part of their lives'.