The Urgent Need for Toilets in Ghana: World Toilet Day Insights on Sanitation Access

Introduction

Every person, regardless of location, requires access to a toilet daily. In Ghana, this basic need remains a persistent challenge for millions. World Toilet Day, observed annually on November 19, highlights this universal truth under the theme “We Will Always Need the Toilet.” This global campaign emphasizes that toilets are essential for dignity, health, safety, productivity, and environmental protection.

For Ghanaians in urban centers like Accra and rural villages alike, the lack of adequate toilet access in Ghana leads to daily struggles. As traditional wisdom notes, the body’s natural processes follow no schedule. This article examines sanitation in Ghana, drawing on verified data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), to explain the current crisis, progress made, and actionable steps toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Why Toilets Matter Beyond Convenience

Toilets prevent open defecation, reduce disease transmission, and support economic growth. In Ghana’s context, improved sanitation access directly impacts women’s safety, children’s education, and community health.

Analysis

Ghana’s sanitation landscape reveals both achievements and significant gaps. With a population exceeding 35 million across approximately 9.75 million households, access to basic facilities lags behind global targets.

Current Sanitation Statistics in Ghana

According to 2021 WHO/UNICEF JMP data, only 59.3% of Ghanaian households have access to a toilet facility. This leaves about 4.3 million households without proper sanitation. Open defecation persists among 17.7% of the population, affecting nearly six million people. Globally, the world is off-track for SDG 6.2, which aims to end open defecation and achieve universal access to sanitation by 2030, and Ghana mirrors this trend.

Health and Social Impacts of Poor Sanitation

Open defecation and inadequate toilet facilities expose communities to cholera, typhoid, and other waterborne diseases. Women and girls face heightened risks, often venturing into unsafe areas at night. Schoolchildren miss classes due to discomfort, while contaminated water affects farmers and households. Only 16% of Ghanaians have access to “safely managed sanitation,” defined by JMP as facilities that safely dispose of waste without environmental harm.

Economic and Environmental Consequences

Poor sanitation hinders tourism, business, and productivity. Polluted rivers from unmanaged waste threaten ecosystems and agriculture. Conversely, proper toilets enable national pride and sustainable development.

Summary

In summary, while Ghana has increased toilet coverage through targeted programs, critical gaps remain. Open defecation affects millions, safely managed sanitation reaches few, and the country risks missing SDG 6 targets. Success stories from projects like GAMA/GKMA demonstrate potential, but scaling requires coordinated efforts across government, communities, and the private sector.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Achieving universal toilet access demands practical, scalable solutions. Here’s how individuals, communities, and leaders can contribute pedagogically, step by step.

Building Affordable Household Toilets

A standard improved household toilet costs GHS 3,000–5,000. Opt for approved designs like pour-flush or biodigesters. Train local artisans through district programs. Use micro-loans or installment plans from microfinance institutions.

Community and Institutional Strategies

Form health clubs in schools for maintenance, funded by small user fees. Map sanitation gaps via district assemblies and link households to certified providers. Promote shared toilets in compound houses with flood-resistant features.

Scaling Safely Managed Sanitation

Ensure pits are lined for containment. Schedule regular desludging by licensed operators. Explore waste-to-resource models, like biogas from biodigesters, to make services affordable and sustainable.

Role of Stakeholders

Government: Enforce by-laws and subsidize for the poorest. Private sector: Develop low-cost innovations. Communities: Reject open defecation through mobilization.

Points of Caution

While building toilets is vital, pitfalls can undermine efforts. Avoid unlined pits that overflow and contaminate groundwater. Do not rely solely on construction without waste management—half-solutions breed hazards. Beware of unaffordable emptying services leading to reverted open defecation. Enforce hygiene education to prevent misuse. As the proverb warns, an uncovered pot attracts flies; always prioritize the full sanitation chain from toilet to treatment.

Comparison

Ghana’s sanitation progress compares variably to regional and global benchmarks. In 2021 JMP data, Ghana’s 59.3% basic sanitation coverage exceeds sub-Saharan Africa’s average of 45%, but trails leaders like Kenya (68%) and Rwanda (72%). Open defecation at 17.7% is higher than Ethiopia’s 6% but lower than Nigeria’s 23%.

Progress Over Time in Ghana

From 2010 to 2021, household toilet access rose from 45% to 59.3%, driven by projects like GAMA. However, safely managed sanitation stagnates at 16%, compared to global 56%.

Global SDG 6 Context

Worldwide, 3.5 billion lack safely managed sanitation. Ghana’s community-led total sanitation (CLTS) successes mirror India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, which reduced open defecation from 39% to near zero.

Legal Implications

In Ghana, sanitation is governed by the Public Health Act and Local Governance Act. Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) must enforce by-laws requiring toilets in all buildings. Landlords are legally obligated to provide functional facilities; non-compliance risks fines or closure. The Environmental Sanitation Policy mandates safely managed systems, with violations punishable under law. These regulations protect public health, not punish the poor, emphasizing prevention over penalty.

Conclusion

World Toilet Day reminds us that toilets are a right, not a luxury. Ghana can lead Africa in sanitation by blending political will, innovation, and community action. Strong policies, private-sector solutions, and citizen commitment will ensure every home has a secure toilet door—fostering health, dignity, and prosperity. Commit today: build, maintain, and advocate for a sanitation-secure future.

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