An advanced Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facility, designed to accommodate ten individuals including those with disabilities, has been built and delivered to Bolgatanga Senior High School in the Upper East Region.
This facility serves the purpose of enhancing sanitation and promoting hygienic practices within the school community.
The aim is to enhance sanitation and hygiene practices within the school environment.
This development brings considerable relief to both the school’s staff and students, offering a solution to the prevalent issues of open defecation and unsanitary practices.
Remarkably, this facility, which cost 90,000 pounds (equivalent to GH₵1,291,483.00 at current rates), stands as the pioneering model of its kind in any senior high school within the region.
Its creation was made possible by the dedicated efforts of WaterAid Ghana, a non-governmental organization committed to promoting Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene initiatives.
Funded by the Zochonis Charitable Trust, a UK-based organization, this water closet toilet facility is part of the broader Sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services in Institutions (SWASH-I) project initiated by WaterAid Ghana.
Notably, this endeavor not only involved infrastructure development but also focused on instilling valuable knowledge regarding proper hygiene behavior and sanitation practices among the school’s faculty and students.
In addition to this educational aspect, essential cleaning and hygiene supplies were provided, along with sports equipment including jerseys and footballs.
A brief commissioning ceremony marked the official inauguration of the facility. Mr. Sampson Tettey, the Head of Sustainable Services Programme at WaterAid Ghana, emphasized that this initiative holds great significance in improving the school’s hygiene and sanitation standards, thus enhancing the overall academic experience.
He highlighted the symbolic importance of this climate-resilient and gender-sensitive structure, portraying it as a beacon of progress, empowerment, and a brighter future for every member of the school community.
By advocating for proper hygiene practices and sanitation, Tettey stressed that this investment holds the potential to foster a healthy learning environment, subsequently contributing to the formation of responsible individuals who will play a pivotal role in the nation’s economic growth.
In his view, these facilities not only serve as physical structures but also as the foundation upon which the students will construct a future filled with accomplishments, aspirations, and positive transformation.
Mr. Ababu Afelbeik, the Headmaster of Bolgatanga Senior High School, expressed gratitude to WaterAid Ghana for their invaluable support. He recognized the substantial impact this facility would have on promoting proper hygiene and sanitation practices throughout the school.
Given the school’s large student body and staff count, he acknowledged the need for additional facilities and appealed for further assistance, specifically from the Talensi District Assembly, to complete the ongoing construction of two additional toilet facilities.
The Senior Prefect of the school, Mr. Gabriel Akuka Atanga, revealed that due to the lack of suitable toilet facilities, many students had resorted to open defecation in nearby bushes. He believes that the newly established facility will markedly enhance academic productivity.
Addressing the issue of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) concerns, particularly within educational and healthcare institutions, Mr. Simon Alebega, the Talensi District Assembly Engineer, assured that the local leadership was actively working to tackle these challenges.
This underscores the commitment of the assembly to prioritize these essential aspects of infrastructure and well-being.