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Opoku Ware SHS students resort to open defecation on school compound due to lack of toilet

Lack of toilet facility at the <a href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/bi/finance/ghana-lost-dollar369-million-in-2018-to-poor-sanitation-and-the-menace-of-open/qrms1vc" id="50739671-d8c8-4506-9b7b-bea7e28ac001">Opoku Ware School</a> (OWASS) in the Ashanti Region has forced students to indiscriminately defecate on the school compound and nearby bushes, exposing them and their teachers to health hazard.
Open defecation
Open defecation

The only toilet facility for the school with a population of over 3000 is not in a good condition after concerns were raised about its dilapidated state.

READ MORE: 6 arrested for open defecation in Takoradi

Students of the school who spoke on conditions of anonymity said the structure is weak and for fear of a disaster have resorted to defecating in the open indicating that several appeals to authorities to resolve the issue has proven futile.

Opoku Ware SHS

Opoku Ware SHS

They explained that they have no choice but resort to open defecation for their own safety despite the fact the practice is producing a horrible smell which has some health implications on them.

They said "they have also locked the WC toilet facilities and we are yet to know the reason why authorities have taken such a decision."

Data released by the coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) in 2018, revealed that public schools in the two hundred and seventy-five (275) districts had topped the list of open defecation in the country. 

READ ALSO: Open defecation dwindling tourism numbers- Minister cries

Filth at Opoku Ware SHS

Filth at Opoku Ware SHS

This, according to the NGOs, was as result of the lack of toilet facilities in these schools.

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