La Residents Task Aspiring MP over Better Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Services

Residents in the La Dadekotopon Constituency have tasked parliamentary candidates of the various political parties to outline plans to address water, sanitation and hygiene problems in the area. The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Oscare Nii Odio Glover, Nii Amasah Namoale, National Democratic Congress (NDC), Simon Sowah of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Torto Obodai Nala Adjah interacted with residents and students in the area during a programme organized by Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) to discuss how to tackle issues of water, sanitation and hygiene. The programme, which falls under citizen’s engagement organized by CONIWAS in partnership with GLONEHDO and WaterAid, formed part of plans to encourage political parties to prioritize water, sanitation and hygiene in their developmental programmes. After the aspirants delivered their speeches, Peal Asantewa Ampomah, a JHS 2 pupil of Saint Paul school, said her school does not have a toilet facility which makes them use the drains and beaches.

While the candidates of the NPP, NDC and PPP said they would provide toilet facilities, the CPP candidate hinted that he would form sanitary brigades in addition to the provision of toilets. Socu Bright, a JHS 1 pupil, said students waste lesson hours to collect and dump refuse due to the absence of a dumping place in the community. The CPP, NDC and NPP parliamentary candidates said they would first fence the school and provide waste bins. The PPP candidate said he would provide additional security. Sarah Sena Asibi, a JHS 2 pupil, said the lack of water in her school is a major problem, but the PPP candidate assured her that boreholes would be dug in the schools. Later in an interview, Ben Authur, Executive Secretary of CONIWAS, in an interview, said the aim of the engagement was to get candidates to commit to improving WASH service delivery at La. He explained that “we will monitor to ensure they keep their promises and we will do that by coming back in the course of the four years.” By Emelia Ennin Abbey From right Oscare Glover, Nii Amasah Namoale, Simon Sowah and Torto Obodai Nala Adjah at the residents engagement