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Tamale, Ghana – The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly in the Northern Region of Ghana, has for the fourth consecutive time, scored lowest in the latest district Open Defecation Free (ODF) rankings with Mion and Tatale-Sanguli Districts emerging first and second respectfully.
With this latest ranking, it means that the Tamale Metropolis still has the highest percentage of people who defecate in the open in the region whereas the Mion and Tatale-Sanguli Districts have the least percentage of people who practice open defecation.
The Mion and Tatale-Sanguli Districts also have the highest number of people living in ODF communities as well as highest percentage of household toilet coverage.
Tamale is Ghana’s fourth largest city after Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. It is also one of the fastest growing cities in West Africa in terms of human population, yet 7 out of 10 residents defecate in the open.
Some of the worst and poor performing districts according to the ranking report are Mamprugu Moaduri, North Gonja, West Gonja, Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo, Savelugu and Sagnarigu whereas other good performing districts are East Mamprusi which placed 3rd, Gushegu 4th and Chereponi 5th.
Open defecation is a practice whereby people defecate outside their homes in nearby bushes, shrubs, farms and sometimes water bodies and not into a designated toilet facility. The term is widely used in literature about water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues in developing countries.
Ghana is ranked second in Africa in open defecation after Sudan with 19 percent of its population resorting to sanitation practices considered the worst of all.
The Northern Region is also last but second in the practice of open defecation in the whole country. Only 5 percent out of the total population also have toilet facilities in their homes whereas 13 percent are committed to the use of such facilities.
The ODF league table or ranking is part of the strategies adopted by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, UNICEF, Government of Canada, USAID and Global Communities to fight the menace of open defecation in the region.
Unveiling the 2017 league table at a brief ceremony at the NRCC on Monday February 5, 2018, Northern Regional Minister Salifu Saeed said, since the 3rd league table in July 2017, there had been tremendous improvement in the fight against open defecation.
“We have increased the number of ODF communities from 931 to 1274 representing 30 percent and all the 26 MMDAs now have at least one ODF community with Tamale Metro recently achieving one in Dealing bills.
“Three MMDAs (Tatale-Sanguli, East Mamprusi and Mion District) now have about 70 percent coverage of basic sanitation and from the survey, we have also seen an increase from 15 percent to 28 percent in household toilet coverage in Northern Region”, he indicated.
According to him, the ODF district league table was instituted to create positive competition among MMDAs in the region in fighting open defecation and facilitate MMDAs to reduce dependence on donor funds.
Mr Saeed also said the ODF league table sought to facilitate MMDAs to implement community-Led Total Sanitation as a government policy and programme and not as a donor project. “We also want to facilitate MMDAs to own and support the CLTS process for sustainability with the imminent reduction of donor funds due to the country’s middle income status”.
The Minister reiterated his appeal to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to allocate reasonable amount of resources to the water and sanitation sector of the Assemblies.
Development Officer at the Consulate General of Canada , Eric Chimsi, noted that there had been intense funding and intense activity in the sanitation sector in the three regions of North but survey always put them at the bottom.
He said in the perspective of the Canadian government, matching results with funds was very important, and asked whether the right programmes were being rolled out by MMDAs the implementing partners such as the District Assemblies.
“Honourable Minister (referring to the Northern Regional Minister), we’re very worried. Because at the moment, while some nations are racing for the stars, we’re still projecting ODF tables. It’s unfortunate that so much is being sunk in this area while healthcare, education and other social development issues are lying down in waiting.
“We would want to find a concrete solution so that on the donor table we will have something more for our national development especially with our current shift to Ghana beyond aid, we need to fix things right”, Me Chimsi indicated.
By Savannahnews
