In an attempt to eradicate open defecation in the Kadjebi District in the Volta Region, residents are being urged to partner the assembly by being vigilant on their fellow community members.

The District assembly promised to pay residents who would arrest persons engaging in open defecation a commission of 20% out of the GhC50.00 spot fine charged persons caught engaging in the illegal act.

The assembly has resolved to make available sanitary facilities in all communities. A total of 187 latrines were constructed between 2017 and 2018, while 37 are under construction.

A World Vision improved sanitation project also contributed to the declaration of two communities open defecation free (ODF) while UNICEF’s resulted in 8 communities attaining ODF status. As at August 2018, 66 communities attained ODF status bringing ODF coverage in the Kadjebi District to 49.25%.

However, addressing the General Assembly Meeting, the District Chief Executive, Maxwell Asiedu, expressed worry at the development where residents in some communities declared ODF are going back to pick the old habit of defecating in the open.

He fears the development would affect the assembly’s performance on the 2018 district league table, hence, is spearheading some interventions, including the rigorous implementing of the bylaws, to wrestle the situation.

He stressed that persons caught engaging in open defecation would not be left the hook but prosecuted accordingly.

Mr. Asiedu added that “...the assembly is taking concrete steps to reward communities that have maintained their ODF status” and implored resident to embrace good hygienic practices to maintain good health.