Lack of toilet facilities push us to practice open defecation – Residents of Sokwai community
The lack of toilet facilities in the Sokwai community in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region, has pushed the residents to engage in open defecation.
According to Mr Collins Nsiah Junior who doubles as the Assembly Member for Pasro-Sokwai Electoral Area, the has become one of the challenges confronting the residents.
But said the District Assembly is yet to respond to an appeal he made to provide in the meantime some temporary toilet facilities in the community.
Hon Nsiah said his outfit has made arrangements with the District Assembly where the residents within his electoral area would soon get modernized toilet facilities under Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources sanitation packages policy.
As they await for government intervention through the District Assembly, Mr Collins Nsiah further appealed to philanthropists, and other stakeholders to help address the menace by providing them with modern toilet facilities to improve sanitation in the area.
The residents of Sokwai, which is a farming community have over the years resorted to attending nature’s call in the bushes and open places.
Some of the residents interviewed also expressed concern about the practice admitting that it has health implications.
They explained that when it rains the fecal matters are washed into the rivers they depend on as their source of drinking water and cooking.
The residents described the the lack of toilets in the community as a threat to their health, noting that it has made their lives uncomfortable.
The Correspondent gathered that Sokwai is among the numerous communities in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District that have not been privileged to have toilet facilities.
Madam Esther Boateng, a resident said, “can you believe that in this 21st century, where technology has advanced, we still go to the bush to ease ourselves?
Esther added that, as a grown up person, the lack of toilet facilities are of great concern to her as she sometimes inconvenienced herself while rushing to the nearest bush for action.
Others commented that they feel ashamed when visitors to the community request to use t toilet and they have to be directed to the bush.
According to them in addition to the lack of toilet facilities, potable drinking water is also one of their biggest challenges and therefore appealed to the government and the District Assembly to come to their aid.
Attached is one of the outmoded toilet facilities that breeds maggots, making it difficult to use.
