Mr. Prince Osei Kissi, the Eastern Regional Director of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department, has underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach to accelerate the creation of open defecation-free communities. The CLTS strategy, introduced in Ghana in recent years, aims to empower communities to uphold proper sanitation practices.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Osei Kissi emphasized that the CLTS approach encourages community members to collaborate in changing mindsets and behaviours towards promoting better living conditions. He highlighted the persistent challenges of faecal contamination of the environment and inadequate hygiene practices, which continue to contribute to maternal mortality and morbidity, stressing the urgent need for attention to sanitation issues.
Mr. Osei Kissi highlighted the ongoing implementation of CLTS for household latrine construction and emphasized the crucial role of support from institutions and the World Bank in enhancing sanitation coverage in Ghana. He affirmed the commitment of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate in the Eastern Region to collaborate with the government and institutions such as the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to deepen and ensure the success of the CLTS approach.
The CLTS initiative aims to instigate behavioural changes within communities, transitioning from open defecation to a sanitized environment through the construction of dignified latrines. By involving the community, this approach gained widespread acceptance around 2011. Communities are empowered to identify their sanitation challenges and devise their own solutions, leading to improved health outcomes and fostering unity and satisfaction within the community.
Reports from the Eastern Region highlight remarkable results, including a significant decrease in open defecation rates and a substantial increase in access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities. These achievements underscore the effectiveness of the CLTS approach in addressing sanitation challenges and promoting healthier living environments in communities across Ghana.