The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), Mrs Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has urged Ghanaians to put an end to open defecation, as part of efforts to combat the recent cholera outbreak.
According to her, the recent reports of cholera cases in some districts across the country was an alarm to maintain high hygienic measures Speaking at World Toilet Day yesterday in Accra, she indicated that toilet was a "lifesaving and dignity protector," and noted that good sanitation was a human right, and that every household must own a toilet facility.
World Toilet Day is celebrated every November 19 to create awareness of the lifesaving value of a toilet as well as raise awareness of 3.5 billion people without access to decent sanitation, including 419 million who practice open defecation as reported by the United Nations.
The theme for this year's celebration is 'Toilets for Dignity, Health and Safety.' "I urge you all to maintain high hygienic measures such as drinking and using safe water, cooking food thoroughly and constantly washing hands with soap under running water.