SUDEF worried over poor management of public toilets

The Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of the Sustainable Development Focus Limited (SUDEF) Ghana, John Baidoo has expressed worry over poor maintenance of Public Toilets and the general lack of access to clean, safe and improved Public Toilet facilities, which gives rise to open defecation in the Country. 

He therefore called on Caretakers and other stakeholders to help improve the maintenance of public toilets in Ghana as well as the continued promotion of household toilets.  

Mr. Baidoo was speaking to Radio Ghana, on the commemoration of World Toilet Day in Sunyani in the Bono-Ahafo Region.

The latest statistics published by the World Health Organization, (WHO) and United Nations children's Fund (UNICEF) indicates that 3.7 million Ghanaians representing, 15 per cent of the population have access to clean, safe and improved toilets in their Homes. 

The report also says 58 per cent of the population share toilets with their neighbors or use public toilets, while 4.6 million Ghanaians defecate in the open daily. 

World Toilet Day is consequently commemorated each year to promote good sanitation and create awareness on the importance of access to proper sanitation for all.  

This year's commemoration which is under the theme: "Toilets and Jobs" focuses on how sanitation or lack of it, can affect livelihoods. 

It is estimated that lack of proper sanitation and poor hygiene practices cost many Countries up to five per cent of GDP. 

The Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Development Focus Limited (SUDEF) Ghana, John Baidoo said the commemoration of World Toilet Day should translate into actual programs help get majority of Ghanaians have access to safe and hygienic toilets and bring an end to open defecation in Ghana. 

Mr. Baidoo stressed that toilets play a crucial role in creating a strong Economy as well as improving Health and protecting people's safety and dignity. 

He pointed out that diarrhoea caused by poor sanitation and unsafe water kills 315 thousand children every year. 

The CEO indicated that the provision of safe and reliable toilets and other sanitation services will help increase productivity and create jobs in the Country. 

Mr. Baidoo was of the opinion that disease transmission at workplaces, is in part caused by poor sanitation and unhygienic practices, adding that 17 per cent of workplace deaths are attributable to the phenomenon. 

Mr. Baidoo also encouraged hand washing with soap under running water.


GBC