Farming community of Dohia in Ghana has declared itself Open Defecation Free

Dohia Achieves Open Defecation Free Status in Ghana’s Volta Region

Dohia, a farming community in Ghana's Volta Region, is now Open Defecation Free (ODF). This achievement follows years of efforts to improve sanitation and public health. World Vision Ghana's Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) program made this possible.

The CLTS initiative encourages households to build and use toilets. Local artisans were trained to construct strong and affordable toilets. Initially, many residents were hesitant about the program. However, seeing successful examples from families like Edmond and Grace built trust within the community.

World Vision Ghana explained that CLTS empowers people to find their own solutions. Instead of giving free toilets, they educate communities on the dangers of open defecation. They also train locals to build their latrines.

Dohia is located in the Agotime-Ziope District. The 2022 District League Table ranked the Volta Region 11th out of 16 regions in Ghana for health and sanitation. Dohia’s progress shows that real change is possible with community support.

Open defecation has long affected rural areas in Ghana. UNICEF states it spreads diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid. Children and the elderly are particularly at risk.

Sanitation experts praise World Vision Ghana’s approach for focusing on behavior change. Communities take ownership of their progress, making improvements more sustainable. Patience Gbor, a sanitation officer, noted fewer cases of diarrhoea since Dohia became ODF.

Residents have pledged to maintain their status by keeping toilets clean. Local leaders are prioritizing sanitation and collaborating with World Vision Ghana for further support.

The success of Dohia may inspire nearby communities to follow suit. With help from local government and NGOs, more villages could soon achieve ODF status. An elder from Dohia expressed pride in their accomplishment: "We did this ourselves."

World Vision Ghana plans to continue its work across the country. Their goal is to ensure every Ghanaian has access to safe sanitation one community at a time.

In related news, construction on the Ho Bypass dual carriageway has resumed as well. This project aims to reduce traffic congestion in Ho city center while improving road safety for residents and commuters.