The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nkwanta North in the Oti Region, Isaiah Dordoe, has expressed concern over the persistently high rate of open defecation in the district, warning that the practice poses serious public health and environmental risks.
The DCE attributed the situation largely to the unwillingness of some landlords to provide household toilet facilities in their homes, a development he said continues to expose communities to preventable diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
He noted that beyond the immediate health threats, open defecation also undermines efforts to maintain clean and dignified communities.
He made these remarks during the district’s observation of National Sanitation Day at Kpassa, where residents participated in clean-up activities aimed at improving hygiene and sanitation within the district.
The DCE used the occasion to urge residents to place greater emphasis on personal hygiene and to support collective efforts to maintain a cleaner environment.
He explained that the Assembly has begun implementing measures to curb the sanitation challenge, including enforcing requirements for toilet facilities in new buildings.
According to him, areas earmarked for new development are expected to meet basic sanitation standards, with household toilets included as part of building requirements.
He commended residents who took part in the clean-up exercise, describing their participation as a positive sign of community commitment.
However, some participants who engaged in sweeping and clearing refuse along the streets expressed frustration over indiscriminate dumping, particularly along roadsides.
They appealed to the Assembly and other stakeholders to intensify public education, strengthen monitoring, and prosecute offenders under the district’s sanitation by-laws to deter future violations.
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