The Kpando Municipal Assembly has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the fight against open defecation, rolling out intensified advocacy and capacity-building initiatives aimed at achieving Open Defecation-Free (ODF) communities.
From June 9–12, 2026, the Assembly organized a four-day Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) training workshop, sponsored by the Assembly and facilitated by the Volta Regional Office. The programme was championed by the Municipal Director of Environmental Health, Mr. Peter Pariki-Kwashie, and brought together officers from Environmental Health and Sanitation Units, Planning Departments, Physical Planning, Community Development, and Social Welfare.
Delivering closing remarks, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Killian Donkor, urged participants to intensify public education and remind communities that sanitation is a shared responsibility. He emphasized the dangers of open defecation, including the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid, and called for collective discipline in adopting proper sanitation practices. Hon. Donkor assured Environmental Health Officers of the Assembly’s unwavering support, stressing the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving lasting results.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the CLTS Programme, Mr. Felix Bosonkui, highlighted that the CLTS approach empowers communities to identify sanitation challenges and take ownership of solutions. He noted that practical field exercises at Sovie Kudzra successfully triggered behavioral change, with optimism that the community will soon attain ODF status.
Mr. Bosonkui further observed that Ghana loses over US$290 million annually due to poor sanitation and preventable diseases, underscoring the urgency of sustained investment in sanitation interventions. He called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to continuously train Environmental Health Officers to strengthen hygiene education at the grassroots level.
The workshop was facilitated by key regional officers including Madam Stella Kumedzro, Volta Regional Environmental Health Officer, and Mr. Festus Tagbodza, Volta Regional CLTS Focal Person.
This initiative forms part of the Assembly’s broader efforts to accelerate progress towards healthier, cleaner communities and to safeguard public health through the eradication of open defecation.
