The Asaloko community in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region has successfully eliminated open defecation through strict enforcement of community bylaws, backed by strong local leadership and collective action.
Years ago, the community battled poor sanitation, which residents say led to frequent outbreaks of diseases such as typhoid fever. Human waste often contaminates water sources and food supplies, putting lives at risk. But that narrative began to change following an intervention by WaterAid Ghana under the WASH for Public Health Project funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Speaking on Bolga FM’s Tinmaalgo Sanga, Secretary to the Water and Sanitation Management Team, Jerry Nyaaba, said the project reshaped the community’s mindset.
“The situation in Asaloko began to change after the intervention of WaterAid Ghana. They educated us on the dangers of open defecation and improper waste disposal. Through meetings and training, we understood that our health was in our own hands,” he said.
According to him, residents, especially the youth, took ownership of the process, constructing household latrines with local materials and their own labour. By 2016, he mentioned that every home had a functioning toilet facility.
In 2019, the community was officially declared Open Defecation-Free by the Bongo District Assembly, a status it continues to maintain. However, sustaining the gains requires firm action.
“We introduced a fine of 60 cedis for anyone practicing open defecation. It is now 100 cedis. But we realized some people preferred to pay the fine instead of building toilets,” Mr. Nyaaba disclosed.
The community then revised its bylaws to impose stricter sanctions. “We amended the rules to deny offenders access to our water sources. When some started going to nearby communities for water, we further revised the bylaws to exclude culprits from social amenities and community support systems, including communal labour and funeral rites. It was difficult, but necessary.”
He credited the success to the unwavering support of the Paramount Chief of Bongo, Bonaba Salifu Alemyarum Salifu Atamale, and the Bongo District Assembly. A member of the Asaloko Women Advocacy Group, Asaa Mary, described the impact as being transformative for women and children.
“Now we can pluck vegetables for cooking without fear of contamination. That was not the case before. At first, it was difficult to follow the bylaws, but over time, we understood it was for our own good,” she said.
Today, Asaloko stands as a model for how community-led enforcement, strong traditional leadership, and sustained education can end open defecation and improve public health.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1|Moses Anaba Azubire|Bolgatanga
