USAID partners in refurbishment of sanitary facilities in Western Region

The United States Agency for International Development and the Coco-Cola Company under its Water and Development Alliance, (WADA) programme have provided sanitary facilities to be used by about 5,400 students within the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.

The partners constructed seven latrines and provided potable water to five schools, trained more than 40 teachers on healthy hygiene behaviours and latrine facility maintenance.

They also provided 40 hand washing stations and established school hygiene clubs.

Mr Anthony Chinebuah, a Representative of Coca-Cola at the official commissioning of the facilities at Tanokrom Primary and Junior High School said the sustainability of communities was directly linked to the business growth of the company.

The five-year project implemented by Global Communities is to accelerate sustainable improvement in water and sanitation access and improve hygiene behaviours.

It would also leverage on Public Private Partnership investment to magnify the impact of US government funding, improve sanitation infrastructure for schools and health faciltites.

Mr Chinbuah said, “we know that we cannot have a viable business, where our people live, work and play are not healthy and economically viable…we want to make sure children grow up healthy to develop their full potential, and we believe the provision of water, sanitation facilities and promotion of hygiene are critical to achieving this”, he added.

Mr Emmanuel Odotei, USAID representative was happy that the facilities had been completed on schedule to be used by the various beneficiaries.

“We are pleased to see these facilities completed and ready for use here at Tankrom and at the four other schools in the Metropolis and Ahanta West district, they are an example of what great partnership looks like between public and private sectors”, he added.

Mr Anthony K. K. Sam, Metropolitan Chief executive of STMA said the country needed to do more with regards to hygiene and access to improved latrines and therefore lauded the interventions by the partners to complement government effort.