By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Sherigu (U/E), March 17, GNA – Weaving Hope Together, a Non-Governmental Organisation based in the United States of America in collaboration with the Paku Enterprise, has handed over a toilet facility to the Sherigu community in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
Paku Enterprise exports woven straw baskets from the Upper East Region to the international markets such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom among others.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mr Steven Karowe, the Founder of the NGO, explained that the facility was aimed at improving public health and hygiene and was part of the NGO and its partner’s broader programs to serve underprivileged communities.
He said the interventions over the years had been the annual payment of members of the members of various to be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and providing educational materials to schoolchildren in communities in which they operate.
Ms Eleanor Anabire, the Executive Director of Weaving Hope Together, explained that these initiatives were making a real difference in the lives of over 10, 000 women including their family members across communities in the Region.
“Over 10,000 of our members, including the communities in which we operate, now benefit from NHIS, and school donations such as educational materials to support our children’s learning,” she said.
She stated that the new toilet facility addressed goal six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which emphasised on clean water and sanitation, reducing open defecation and sanitation-related illnesses such as typhoid.
“As women, we felt embarrassed and uncomfortable defecating openly. This facility restores our dignity and improves health outcomes. Access to health insurance through NHIS also helps improve upon good health and well-being which also falls under the goal three of the SDGs” she added.
Ms Janet Azupaka, a Public Health Nurse working in the community, noted that the area had long struggled with typhoid and other sanitation-related illnesses, largely due to the lack of proper toilet facilities and expressed hope that the new facility would curb open defecation and improve the health status of the overall community.
Naba Thomas Aluman Apasinaba II, the Chief of Sherigu, commended the NGO and its partners for their continuous support, emphasising that initiatives such as the NHIS enrolment and the annual donations of educational materials to basic schools in the areas have made a meaningful impact on education and community welfare.
On his part, the Executive Director of Paku Enterprise, Mr Paul Akurugu, stated that the basket-weaving industry was the main source of income for these women groups and intimated that the weaving industry contributed to addressing poverty, gender equality, decent work and economic growth which also fell in line with the SDGs.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /Kenneth Odeng Adade