Slow progress on sanitation and the entrenched practice of open defecation among thousands in Ghana continue to put children and their communities at risk according to UNICEF.
Some 2.5 billion people worldwide do not have adequate toilets and among them 1 billion defecate in the open – in fields, bushes, or bodies of water – putting them, and especially children, in danger of deadly faecal-oral diseases like diarrhoea.
Here in Ghana, Traditional rulers have been urged to actively partake in the fight against open defecation as Ghana resolves to end the menace.
Alleged Divisional Queen Mother of Sakumono under the Nungua Traditional Area, Naa Borley Wulu ii has put upon herself to fight actively against residents who engage in open defecation in Sakumono Village.
Naa Borley Wulu ii, who double as a fetish priestess in an interview host DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa said, fighting the menace will be unsuccessful if the security forces fail to actively involve themselves.
While admitting Traditional rulers’ resolve to curb open defecation, the queen mother noted that the fight could be more successful if security forces are involved hence the need to bring them to enforce the law.
“I involved the police because the youth in Sakumono Village have decided not take anything I say serious. Where they openly defecate is right behind my house making it difficult to sometimes breathe. They’re not just polluting the environment but also destroying it.” Naa Borley said.
Naa Borley added that, a toilet facility has been provided for the community at a fee. She said, even though a latrine has been provided, the youth refuse to use it.
Speaking to some residents at Sakumono Village, they are alleging that her bodyguards in the last few days have been terrorising residents who use a parcel of land close by as a place of convenience because there is no toilet to visit when nature calls.
Some Irate youth at Sakumono Village has vowed to confront her and forcefully eject her from the Village after some youths were attacks by her alleged bodyguards.
The residents are asking Wetlands Division of the Forestry Commission to investigate the matter as the priestess’ residence is within the Ramsar site.
The police, however, did not respond immediately as the Baatsona Divisional Command which oversees the area says it will respond on Monday.
