Story by Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern directive to all district assemblies, mandating them to reject building permits for any construction project that fails to incorporate adequate sanitation facilities.
This decisive measure aims to combat the persistent scourge of open defecation, a grave concern that continues to imperil public health and environmental sustainability in various parts of the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Voluntary National Report, President Mahama emphasized the imperative of stringent enforcement of building regulations to ensure that all new residential, commercial, and public structures are equipped with functional toilet facilities. “It is utterly unacceptable that in 2025, open defecation persists in parts of Ghana,” he declared.
“This is not merely a public health issue; it is a matter of human dignity and social equity. Our sanitation crisis is not precipitated by a lack of knowledge, but rather by glaring gaps in investment, enforcement, and community engagement. We must act with unwavering resolve to eradicate this practice.” The President expressed dismay that despite existing by-laws stipulating sanitation facilities as a prerequisite for building permits, the problem persists. “All district assemblies have enshrined in their by-laws that you cannot obtain a building permit without providing sanitation facilities. So, how is it that people are still defecating in the open—what many jokingly refer to as ‘free range’? The most disturbing part is that some say they prefer it because they get ‘air conditioning at their rear end.'” Mahama urged local authorities to live up to their mandates and crack down on non-compliance, stressing that “the district assemblies must enforce their by-laws with an iron fist. No one should be allowed to build without sanitation facilities.”
This directive underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the sanitation crisis and promoting a healthier, more dignified living environment for all Ghanaians.
