Dohia Community Achieves Open Defecation Free Status

By Vivian Adu, Communications Officer

Dohia No1 and No2, two farming communities in the Agortime-Ziope District of of the Volta Region of Ghana, have been officially declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), marking a significant milestone in improving sanitation and public health in the area.

This achievement was made possible through World Vision Ghana’s Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach under the Integrated Community WASH module. The initiative aimed to create demand for household sanitation, sensitising community members on the importance of owning private toilet facilities.

Initially, the two communities were hesitant to embrace household sanitation due to previous failed attempts to construct resilient toilet facilities. Many residents had previously built toilets that collapsed within a short period of time, creating a reluctance to invest in new structures.

Recognising this challenge, World Vision Ghana’s Agortime Area Programme partnered with the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit of the Agortime-Ziope District Assembly to train local artisans on constructing durable and affordable toilet facilities using concrete pit liners and slabs. This training empowered the community with the necessary skills to build resilient toilets that would stand the test of time.

The turning point came when Edmond and Grace, a family living in Dohia No2 with their children, took the initiative to construct their toilet facility. Their success and advocacy inspired others, creating a ripple effect where every household in Dohia followed suit. Today, every home in the community has its toilet, contributing to improved sanitation and hygiene.

As part of the initiative, handwashing stations were installed outside the newly constructed latrines to further promote hygiene and prevent the spread of disease.

Efo Kwabla, a resident of Dohia, recalled the situation prior to World Vision Ghana's intervention: "Before World Vision came, we used to practice open defecation everywhere. It was the norm we grew up with. As a result, the community was always filled with foul odors, making it unfit for human habitation".

Now, with improved sanitation facilities and a cleaner environment, Dohia Community has been declared Open-Defecation-Free, demonstrating the power of community-led initiatives and effective partnerships in driving sustainable change.