The Volta Region has recorded 10% decline in sanitation concerns just one year after UNICEF introduced the ‘Tippy Tap’ hand wash system in the region.
The Tippy Taps is a simple hand washing technology introduced in the region by UNICEF and UNILEVER last year.
It is constructed with local materials for easy access to water and soap for hand washing.
Regional Director of Health, Dr Joseph Teye Nurgatey says the Tippy Tap system has contributed to good sanitation practices as people are now washing their hands regularly.
He told Adom News’ Emmanuella Ablah Aforkpah in an exclusive interview during a follow up tour and handing over of the Tippy Tap project to stakeholders in the region.
“Every year from 2014, the Volta region records only 1% decline in sanitation related diseases, but in comparing the January 2016 report to the report from January 2017, there has been a 10% decline in sanitation related diseases and that is due to the introduction of Tippy Taps in schools in the region which has been introduced by the children into the communities.’’
“The Tippy Taps have come to help and should we sustain it we sure to stalk much bigger success.” He said.
However, Volta Regional Coordinator of the School Health Education Programme (SHEP), Constant Kofi Dzakpasu noted the introduction of the Tippy Tap in the region over the last one year has seen a decline in absenteeism.
“The Tippy Tap Project, has come to help the reduce absenteeism related to sickness and also a year on schools are now pay less on water bills.’’
He asked that the project be extended to other regions.
“An extension to other regions will do a lot of good in schools across Ghana.”
On her part, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist for schools at UNICEF, Leticia Ackon says so far all the 3,900 government schools in the Volta Region have Tippy Tap systems reaching over 500, 000 thousand school children.
She asked all private schools to emulate and to embrace the TTP too.
“The TTP is has been very successful in the Volta region as every public school has been covered-we are glad the children are taking it into the communities.
“With just GHC5 one can have construct a Tippy Tap and it can be sited everywhere as well” she noted.
Below is the chart
Diarrhoea Diseases
Jan to Jun 2014
Jan to Jun 2015
Jan to Jun 2016
Jan to Jun 2017
Adaklu
1 063
763
492
617
Afadjato South
1 504
1 618
1 836
1 431
Agortime-Ziope
610
463
726
607
Akatsi North
1 141
1 256
1 388
668
Akatsi South
3 716
3 348
4 023
4 707
Biakoye
4 639
3 533
3 317
2 403
Central Tongu
2 556
2 808
2 604
2 850
Ho
5 178
5 674
6 107
9 109
Ho West
2 803
2 109
1 834
1 596
Hohoe
3 464
3 538
5 314
3 332
Jasikan
2 026
1 931
2 134
1 334
Kadjebi
2 252
2 603
2 883
2 692
Keta
5 817
5 482
5 701
6 018
Ketu North
2 705
2 544
2 848
2 370
Ketu South
4 306
7 279
4 046
4 054
Kpando
1 556
2 563
2 082
1 418
Krachi East
2 901
2 851
3 140
2 922
Krachi Nchumuru
2 251
1 873
2 040
925
Krachi West
2 521
2 008
1 689
1 504
Nkwanta North
6 674
7 179
6 083
3 982
Nkwanta South
5 132
3 316
3 127
2 840
North Dayi
2 180
1 612
1 690
972
North Tongu
2 527
2 398
2 413
2 390
South Dayi
2 285
3 029
2 388
1 784
South Tongu
2 231
1 690
2 432
2 667
Total
74 038
73 468
72 337
65 192
