Ghana is grappling with a significant sanitation challenge, with approximately 5.4 million people, representing 18% of the national population, still practicing open defecation. According to Yaw Attah Arhin, WASH Technical Specialist at World Vision Ghana, this situation is alarming and continues to undermine public health, child survival, and national development. The practice of open defecation costs the nation an estimated $79 million annually, while poor sanitation results in a loss of $290 million every year.
The issue of open defecation is further complicated by inadequate infrastructure, with 55% of the population sharing toilets and 23% relying on public toilet facilities. This makes it challenging to prevent the spread of sanitation-related ailments, such as cholera and diarrhea. In fact, diarrhea-related deaths among children remain a significant concern, with 3,600 children dying each year from the disease.
The sanitation situation in public basic schools is also disturbing, with 26% of schools lacking toilet facilities. This forces pupils to resort to using bushes or returning home during school hours, contributing to absenteeism, poor academic performance, and exposure to abuse. Girls are particularly affected, as many choose to skip school entirely due to lack of privacy and hygiene.
The intersection between sanitation and maternal health is also a concern, with infections linked to open defecation and poor sanitation accounting for 15% of all maternal deaths in the country. To address this issue, Arhin is calling for stronger prioritization, sustained financing, and unified stakeholder action. He also urged film producers, musicians, influencers, and broadcasters to incorporate sanitation messages into their work, arguing that their collective platforms could shift public attitudes significantly.
As the world observes World Toilet Day, Ghana must reawaken its “sanitation conscience” and place sanitation at the forefront of public discourse. The nation must work collectively to make hygiene a way of life and address the significant challenges posed by open defecation and poor sanitation. By doing so, Ghana can reduce the risk of sanitation-related ailments, improve public health, and promote national development.
