STORY BY HAGAR SEY
Access to clean water and basic sanitation is important to human dignity. Lack of these social amenities can have serious implications on the individual as well as the community at large. At Akateng in the Upper Manya Krobo district, lack of toilet facilities in individual homes has compelled residents to engage in open defecation along the Volta Lake. the residents explained that the community was initially using a dilapidated school toilet at the Akateng primary school but the facility has since been pulled down. According to them, this situation is what has compelled them to engage in the act. Akateng is a fishing community with a population of over one thousand. For many years, the fast growing community has been deprived of access to potable water and communal toilet facilities. Lack of toilet facilities in individual homes and in the community has compelled residents to practice open defecation along the Volta Lake, which severs as the major source of water for residents. Activities by the community are gradually polluting the Lake. Teachers and pupils alike also engage in open defecation during class’s hours. In an interview with the Head Teacher of the Akateng Junior High School, David Ohenepane Narh said the lack of water as well as toilet facilities at the school is affecting teaching and learning. He explained that both teachers and pupils have to skip classes and walk for about two kilometers to defecate and even wash their hands in the lake. He added that sometime the pupils do not return back to class. The District Chief Executive, Joe Sam said efforts are being made by the Assembly to partner with Non-Governmental Organizations and Philanthropists to construction toilet facilities for the community as well as build a water reservoir that will get its water source from the lake.
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