The Ghana Library Board (GhLB) has partnered with UK-based social enterprise Sanitopia CIC to construct 157 modern sanitation facilities across libraries in Ghana, a transformative step aimed at improving hygiene, health, and access to quality education.

The collaboration aligns with Ghana’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

According to lawyer Nana Yaa Owusu Aduome, a trustee of Sanitopia CIC, the partnership is not just about infrastructure but about empowering children and communities with safe, clean learning spaces.

“This initiative is about giving our children the safe, clean environment they need to learn, grow, and thrive without fear of disease or discomfort,” she said.

She emphasised that access to proper sanitation is a matter of dignity, especially for young girls, and plays a crucial role in keeping children in school.

“No child should have to choose between education and dignity. By joining hands with the Ghana Library Board, we are not just building toilets; we are building the future of Ghana,” she added.

At the launch event, Alhassan Ziblim Betintiche, Director-General of the Ghana Library Authority, described libraries as “living community hubs” that must offer more than just books, they must also provide safe and healthy spaces for learning. “Access to information, literacy, and a conducive learning environment are fundamental rights every Ghanaian deserves,” he said.

Betintiche highlighted several initiatives by the Authority to make learning accessible to all, including the Ghana Library App, a zero-rated app available on MTN and Telecel that allows free access to e-books and learning materials; an expanded network of 139 public libraries across the country; and extended opening hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in selected libraries to support learners and families.

“We are deeply grateful to Sanitopia CIC for this partnership, which aligns with our vision to build libraries that not only promote literacy but also safeguard health and dignity,” he noted.

The Chairman and President of Sanitopia CIC, Richard Kojo Acheampong, Esq., described the partnership as a “historic step” toward addressing sanitation challenges in educational environments nationwide.

Under the partnership agreement, Sanitopia CIC will construct 150 sanitation facilities for existing public libraries and 150 new library facilities as part of a larger plan to build 2,000 toilets across Ghana within five years.

“This project is not merely about infrastructure; it’s about health, dignity, and education,” Acheampong said.

He explained that access to sanitation contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing preventable diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea, and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by providing safe and private sanitation facilities for women and girls.

Sanitopia CIC also aims to; Build community-centered sanitation facilities that are affordable, safe, and sustainable; Convert waste into biogas and fertilizer, promoting environmental and economic benefits; and Train schools and communities to maintain and manage the facilities effectively.

The initiative highlights the critical link between education and public health. Organisers believe that no learning environment can thrive without proper hygiene.

“Knowledge is power,” Sanitopia CIC noted in a statement, “but it cannot flourish if children are falling ill from preventable diseases caused by poor sanitation. Health and learning must go hand in hand.”

When completed, the 157 sanitation facilities will serve as a national symbol of Ghana’s progress toward a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive society. The project also focuses on maintenance and hygiene education, ensuring that children and community members learn to sustain the facilities responsibly.

“Sanitation is not just about construction; it’s about maintenance, responsibility, and behaviour change. We must educate as we build,” said Nana Yaa Owusu Aduome.

Acheampong expressed appreciation to the Ghana Library Board, Khoshakis Ltd, Guarding Professionals Ltd, and the trustees of Sanitopia CIC for their partnership.

He also called on government agencies, corporate bodies, NGOs, and philanthropists, both in Ghana and abroad, to join the mission.

“Great things happen when people come together for a cause greater than themselves. Together, we can build a Ghana where every child has access to clean sanitation, where dignity is restored, and where every library becomes a beacon of health and knowledge,” he said.

Both institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting literacy, protecting public health, and fostering community development through collaboration and innovation.

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