By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Bongo (U/E), Dec. 2, GNA – The Bongo Traditional Council has declared a renewed and vigorous war against open defecation in the Bongo District, with a call on community members, government institutions and development partners to collaborate to make the district one of the cleanest in the region.
Speaking at a durbar to mark this year’s Azambene festival held in Bongo, Bonaba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarum, the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, said the fight against open defecation had become urgent due to its adverse effects on public health, environmental safety and human dignity.
He said although the area had made progress over the years, many communities still lacked decent household toilets, forcing residents to defecate in the open, which undermined efforts to improve sanitation and ensure a healthy population.
To this end, the Paramount Chief announced that the Council was collaborating with WaterAid Ghana, a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)-focused organisation, to sensitise communities and households on the need to end open defecation.
“And so, the Traditional Council, the District Assembly, WaterAid and other NGOs are collaborating to carry out sensitisation throughout communities in Bongo.
“We are commencing this sensitisation next week. We are going from village to village to sensitise residents on the need to end open defecation and deal with the plastic menace. We want Bongo to be a decent area and for the people to have a healthy life,” he stressed.
Additionally, the Paramount Chief announced the establishment of a Bongo WASH Fund, aimed at supporting needy households and vulnerable people to construct simple and affordable toilet facilities.
He stressed that the fund would prioritise vulnerable families who cannot afford basic construction materials, noting that the traditional authority would soon enact a by-law to punish people caught defecating in the open.
“If we don’t provide toilets for the poor and yet punish them for open defecation, where are we going?” he asked, emphasising the need for inclusivity as the area gears toward universal sanitation coverage.
He further disclosed that trained artisans were available to construct simple KVIP toilet facilities for households, adding that the KVIP was a much more affordable system than the water closet and would serve a similar purpose of preventing open defecation.
He called on residents, development partners and well-wishers to support the WASH Fund, saying, “whatever each person gives will help save lives, prevent disease and secure a healthier future for generations to come.”
Naba Lemyaarum also called for support to address the high fluoride concentration in underground water in the district, which has resulted in widespread cases of rheumatism, joint pains and dental issues. He noted that “some of our children are teased for having red and brown teeth, and it embarrasses them.”
Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, commended the Bongo Traditional Council for its stance on ending open defecation and ensuring environmental cleanliness, adding that the move aligns with the government’s national sanitation agenda.
He urged residents to support the Traditional Council to ensure that the sanitation menace is addressed to promote dignity and improved wellbeing.
The Minister also assured residents of his commitment to continue engaging the central government and Ghana Water Limited to ensure that treated water from the Vea Dam is redirected to serve the people of Bongo, as a means of permanently addressing the high fluoride content.
The durbar, which was characterised by drumming and singing, brought together traditional leaders, government officials, development partners and community members.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /Kenneth Odeng Adade