Ashaiman Municipal Assembly launches sanitation fund to tackle open defecation

As part of efforts to improve sanitation and end open defecation in Ashaiman, the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly in collaboration with UNICEF has set up a Sanitation Fund to enable landlords who do not have funds to provide households toilet on their home to access the fund for provision of toilet and pay later.

Per the arrangement, no landlord or landlady will be required to pay any interest on the loan.

The initiative, is in line with President Akufo-Addo's vision of making Greater Accra Region or Accra the cleanest place.

Speaking at the launch of the Fund, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ashaiman, Albert Boakye Okyere, said the Assembly has given landlords who do not have household toilet in their homes up to 28th February 2019, to access the Fund and construct one in their homes.

“It will not only afford households the opportunity to finance construction of their own toilets but also present sanitation businesses finance options to enable them to expand their business to meet the growing demand for toilet construction,” he said.

“I wish to use this opportunity to clearly state that these loans are not free handout but operates as a revolving fund. This means that all monies disbursed to eligible beneficiaries, would have to be paid back within a given period,” he added.

He warned that the Assembly would not hesitate in prosecuting landlords who fail to take advantage of the Fund in order to support the efforts of the assembly to keep the municipality clean.

He said the Assembly would continue to increase demand for sanitation, by marketing and ensuring that Environmental Health Officers spend time in communities promoting the importance of sanitation, as well as informing households, and particularly tenants of the technology and financing options open to them.

“Sanitation is dignity! Build a toilet now, stop open defecation and wash your hands before eating food and after visiting the toilet,” he advised.