Residents of the Asaloko community in the Bongo district of the Upper East Region have been advocating for a nationwide adoption of community-led sanitation efforts. This is evidence following the declaration of the community as an Open Defecation Free (ODF) community in 2019, through the contribution of WaterAid Ghana.
The community, on the first Saturday of each month, embarks on a cleaning exercise and desilting of choked gutters to improve public health. The exercise is geared towards reducing disease outbreaks, improving hygiene, and fostering national pride in line with the government’s plan to improve sanitation and cleanliness nationwide.
Asaloko, a community that previously struggled with high rates of open defecation, demonstrated that community-driven, regular cleanup exercises can completely transform local sanitation. The call is for all communities to take ownership of their environment, stop littering, and participate in regular, mandatory cleanup exercises. This call to action mirrors broader national efforts, such as the “Operation Clean Your Front” campaign, which urges citizens to take personal responsibility for the cleanliness of their immediate surroundings.
The Secretary of the Water and Sanitation Management Team in the Asaloko community, Jerry Nyaaba, said the community had become a model for others to follow as it exhibited the power of collective action and community-led initiatives. He mentioned that the community had witnessed improved public health and enhanced environmental sustainability.
“We overcame cultural and social barriers, infrastructure limitations and financial constraints to achieve our purpose”, he stated.
While calling on other communities where open defecation was rife to put an end to the practice, Mr Nyaaba urged the people to continue to work together and share their experiences and expertise to create a world where every individual had access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.
According to Mr. Nyaaba, people were caught and charged accordingly. “For example, in 2017, we caught one community member defecating in the open, and we charged him GH₵60.00.
Mrs. Mary Asaah urged all women to take part in a community clean-up exercise, which will prevent them from getting diseases in their various communities.
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