Tamale ranked second in Ghana for open defecation

The Northern Regional capital, Tamale, has been ranked second in the country for the practice of open defecation.

This was revealed at the launch of the Open Defecation League Table in Tamale by Issahaku Alhassan, the chief director of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council.

Open defecation is the practice of attending nature's call in bushes, at the beach, in drains, in plastic bags and dump sites.

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According to Mr Alhassan, the poor standing by Tamale was a reflection of a countrywide problem which see Ghana also occupying second position in Africa for open defecation.

He said seven out of ten people in the region did not have toilets in their households.

Analysis

According to Mr Alhassan, open defecation cost the country 79 million dollars every year, money which could be spent on other productive ventures.

President Nana Akufo-Addo has just announced the creation of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, a move that has been much heralded by stakeholders in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene).

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The country has plans to eradicate open defecation by 2025 and Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals enjoins countries to ensure availability of clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Cholera and diarrhoea are some diseases associated with the practice of open defecation.