The Upper West Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee on Sanitation (RICCS) is stepping up its fight against open defecation (OD) with new measures, including the development and implementation of sanitation by-laws. This initiative aims to enhance the region’s sanitation standards and support Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in managing sanitation challenges.
A 5-member ad-hoc committee has been formed to draft these by-laws, which will be enforced across all MMDAs. The move follows a recent RICCS meeting in Wa, where regional performance in sanitation was reviewed.
Madam Freda Naatu, the Upper West Regional Director of Environmental Health and Sanitation, highlighted that existing laws are either insufficiently punitive or too severe. She stressed the need for a model by-law that aligns with national laws but is tailored to the region’s needs.
Dennis Menance Bayuo, the Regional WASH Focal Person, noted improvements in the region’s Open Defecation Free (ODF) status but emphasized the need for continued efforts and community awareness. He also suggested that sanitation officers should be based in their assigned areas to improve effectiveness.
As of the report, 841 out of 1,167 communities in the Upper West Region have achieved ODF status. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030, with a focus on ending open defecation and improving sanitation facilities.
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