By Freda Mwini and Simon Gali
Wa, July 24, GNA – Jinpenhi Naa Kadri Ibrahim has underscored the critical role of traditional authorities in ending open defecation (OD) and improving sanitation in their communities, saying their efforts must be backed by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
He said traditional leaders wield the authority to enforce community-level regulations and, because of their close relationship with their subjects, were well positioned to champion sanitation campaigns and behavioural change.
The chief, however, said traditional authorities could not effectively sustain sanitation interventions without the necessary collaboration and logistical support from the MMDAs.
Naa Kadri, who is also Secretary to the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Area, made the remarks in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa on the role of traditional leaders in improving sanitation and eliminating open defecation in the Upper West Region.
The President John Dramani Mahama-led Government has declared sanitation a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
However, he said achieving improved sanitation and ending open defecation in communities would remain difficult without the active involvement of traditional authorities.
To strengthen accountability, the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODE), with support from World Vision Ghana, has initiated an accountability drive to hold MMDAs responsible for improving sanitation in their respective jurisdictions.
“Once you are not leveraging any resources at your disposal as a chief or community leader, you will always feel handicapped in terms of how far you can go towards ending open defecation.
“So, until we enjoy some support or collaboration with the assemblies, traditional authority in itself would be unable to say we want to end open defecation,” Naa Kadri said.
He attributed the region’s poor sanitation situation largely to negative attitudes towards environmental cleanliness and inadequate public participation in sanitation initiatives.
He said sanitation challenges, including open defecation, improper waste management and indiscriminate disposal of refuse, were contrary to societal and religious values that promoted cleanliness.
Naa Kadri called for the development and enforcement of local sanitation by-laws by the assemblies in collaboration with traditional authorities to help address the sanitation menace, particularly open defecation.
Naa Blintoh Taasung Abdulai, Chief of Duori in the Wala Traditional Area, also called for greater involvement of traditional authorities in promoting environmental sanitation, saying they had the capacity to mobilise communities when adequately supported.
He said traditional leaders previously played a central role in enforcing communal labour and sanitation regulations, which contributed significantly to keeping communities clean.
He, however, observed that changing governance systems, human rights concerns and the influence of social media had limited the ability of traditional authorities to effectively enforce customary sanitation by-laws.
He said empowering traditional authorities to coordinate sanitation activities could lead to significant improvements in environmental cleanliness within a relatively short period.
Reverend Justice Arhin-Yorke, Bishop of the Wa-Bolgatanga Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana, observed that although sanitation had improved in the Wa Municipality, more needed to be done.
He said open defecation remained prevalent among children, particularly in communities without access to toilet facilities.
Rev. Arhin-Yorke acknowledged the role of religious institutions in promoting sanitation through sustained advocacy, particularly during sermons.
Meanwhile, data from the Upper West Regional Environmental Health and Sanitation Department indicate that 839 out of the region’s 1,167 communities have attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Freda Mwini/Simon Gali