The Bono Regional branch of the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) has been inaugurated, with a call on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strictly enforce their sanitation bye-laws to eliminate Open Defecation (OD) in the country.

         The coalition works to end OD in the region.

    Mr Francis Ameyibor, the National Convener, M-CODe who made the call appealed to the government to adequately resource sanitation units of the various MMDAs to position them well to undertake community outreaches and promote environmental sanitation.

     M-CODe is an advocacy group, comprising mass media institutions and Journalists crusading against open defecation in the country through a coordinated and more aggressive policy influence and public sensitization.

    The formation was facilitated by the World Vision Ghana, an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and Kings Hall Media.

     Speaking at a ceremony held at Abesim near Sunyani, Mr Ameyibor said the government ought to prioritize and earmarked enough funding to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, saying sanitation must be a fulcrum around which all development must evolve.

    He said ending OD in the country required strong political will and commitment, and asked the media to endeavour and bring issues of OD to the spotlight.

    Mr Ameyibor said a Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) was also required, if the nation was truly committed to ending OD, and thereby achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    "Everybody must live in a good sanitary environment and this can happen if the MMDAs and traditional authorities enforce bye-laws on sanitation", he added.

     Mr Gyan Lamptey, the Bono East Regional Environmental Health Officer regretted that only 215 out of the about 1,347 communities in the region were OD free, saying over 87 per cent of people in the region practice OD.

      He therefore called on the M-CODe to intensify nationwide advocacy for people to stop the practice to help improve on good environmental sanitation in the country and prevent the outbreak of diseases.

    Mr Alexander Bae-Yeboah, an Assistant Director at the Bono Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) lauded the formation of the coalition, and stressed the Council's readiness to support their activities in the region.

    Mr Yaw Attah Arhin, the Chairman, Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), and WASH Technical Specialist, World Vision Ghana, called on the MMDAs to enforce the building code and ensure that landlords provided household toilets.

Source…...www.sompaonline.com/Dennis Peprah