Mr Michael Agyemang, the Metro Director of Planning at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and Coordinator for Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area (GKMA) Sanitation and Water project has expressed worry over the increased cases of open defecation in the jurisdiction.
According to him, the last population census disclosed that open defecation is on the rise in the metropolitan area, and announced the resolve by the Chief Executive Officer of the KMA to prosecute households who do not take advantage of the World Bank sponsored provision of toilet facility project at a subsidised cost.
He explained that the KMA is implementing the World Bank Greater Kumasi Metropolitan area Sanitation and Water project through adequate subsidy for the households, within the metropolitan Area to own their toilet facilities.
Mr Agyemang disclosed that, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has secured the World Bank project with a 70% concession of the total cost, while households are to pay only 30%, meaning a type of the facility which cost GH¢4,500.00 would attract only GH¢1,200.00 to the household while the one at GH¢2,500.00 goes at a reduced cost of GH¢700.00.
The Project Coordinator entreated every household or landlord to take advantage of the project or face prosecution as provided by law.
Meanwhile, Mr Samuel Pyne, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has stated that most of the Internally Generated Funds (IGF), constituting about 70% of total revenue generated in the city goes into waste management. This is attributed to practising of unhygienic sanitation by residents.
According to the mayor, it is time for residents to prioritise keeping their environment clean to help the authorities to channel the resources in hygienic sanitation and keep the city clean towards the socio-economic growth of the metropolis.
