Modern Toilets and Rain Water Harvesting Facilities for ANT Cluster of Schools

A 20-seater water based school latrine constructed under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Water Access, Sanitation and Hygiene for Urban Poor (WASH-UP) Project was handed over to the Accra New Town Cluster of Schools.

The facility; a disability and girl child friendly latrine with urinals, hand-washing sinks and rainwater harvesting tanks were designed and constructed to respond to findings from the water and sanitation situational analyses in public basic schools within the 5 project communities.

With a total pupil population of close to 4,000 in four basic schools and 80 teachers, the facility is expected to greatly improve sanitary conditions in the schools, as well as reduce malingering of pupils who hitherto patronized public latrines in the vicinity.

In handing over the facilities to the school pupils and authorities, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Ghana, H.E. Donald Teitelbaum admonished pupils to maintain the facilities to enable future pupils also benefit from it. Further, he indicated that, to attain their aspirations, pupils needed to remain healthy by practicing good hygiene.

The program was also graced by the presence of the many dignitaries including Dr Hanna Bissiw the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Directors of the Ghana Education Service, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the School Health Education Program and the Chairman of the Ayawaso Sub-Metropolitan District Council.

Teachers, parents, and pupils of St. John’s Primary , ANT ‘5’ Primary, ANT Experimental 1 Primary and Junior High, and Experimental ‘2’ Primary Schools were also present. Members of community-based organizations like the Ayidiki Night Market Women Association, the Ayidiki Water and Sanitation Board and representatives of the Traditional Authorities responded to their invitation to offer their support for a successful program.