UNICEF, Netherlands Embassy launch sanitation project

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a € 5.9 million Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project on the theme “Improving sanitation access in urban Ghana” at Ashaiman near, Accra.

The project, sponsored by the Netherlands Government, under the Ghana-Netherlands Water programme, aims at curbing open defecation by building 100 biofil toilet facilities in 100 households in the next 100 days in Ashaiman, Ho, and Tamale.

Mr Collins Dauda, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), commended the UNICEF and the Netherlands Embassy for the laudable initiative, and expressed optimism that the project would bring the right approach to tackling issues of sanitation.

He said the MLGRD was convinced that positive change could be made if all stakeholders were involved in the implementation of the project.

Mr Dauda appealed to the three pilot assemblies and other stakeholders to be actively involved in the implementation of the project.

Mrs Rushman Murtaza, the Deputy Representative of UNICEF Ghana, said the project was to support Government’s efforts to eliminate open defecation in urban areas.

“Most importantly, it will support communities to improve sanitation and hygiene practices, in homes and schools, and ensure that the community is a safer and healthier place for children to reach their potential”, she said.

The Biofil Toilet System is described by experts as a ‘site faecal matter treatment system.’ It has a flush and microflush unit, which replaces the septic tank by receiving and treating faecal matter directly from the water closet or pour flush unit.

The three-year project will end in 2018.