According to Juventus Asayuure, a senior official at the Upper East Regional Environmental Health Unit, ignorance and lack of funding are the main drivers of the high percentage of open defecation in the region.Apexnewsgh reports
The recent data released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) shows a staggering 68.4% of the population in the region practices open defecation, with Bawku West District having the highest number of cases.
Mr. Asayuure when speaking to Apexnewsgh attributed the issue to a deep-seated cultural norm, where people are accustomed to defecating in the open, and a lack of enforcement of laws and funding to support behavior change initiatives. He noted that efforts to promote toilet usage and improve sanitation and hygiene practices are underway, but funding is a significant challenge, with government unable to fund all districts, relying on donors to fill the gap.
The GSS data highlights the need for urgent interventions to address the widespread open defecation, which poses significant health risks to residents. The regional environmental health unit is working to promote a healthier and more sustainable environment, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of this issue.
The data breakdown by district is as follows:
Bawku West: 18,901
Builsa South: 5,619
Builsa North Municipal: 9,464
Kasena Nankana Municipal: 16,568
Kasena Nankana West: 13,746
Bolgatanga Municipal: 17,059
Talensi: 13,765
Bolgatanga East: 5,949
Bongo: 17,499
Nabdam: 7,897
Binduri: 11,373
Bawku Municipal: 13,578
Garu: 6,645
Tempane: 10,923
Pusiga: 10,639
The regional environmental health unit is calling for increased support and funding to address this critical issue and promote a healthier and more sustainable environment for residents.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
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