In a renewed push to eliminate open defecation by 2030, the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe) has engaged World Vision Ghana’s Technical Specialist for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), to help restructure the coalition and develop strategies to re-energise journalists as frontline advocates.
The high-level consultative meeting, held in Accra, was attended by M-CODe National Convenor, Mr. Francis Ameyibor; Patron Mr. Emmanuel Addai; Administrator Mr. Frank Ofosu Appiah; and National Secretary, Mrs. Benedicta Folly Gyesi. The delegation was received by World Vision Ghana WASH Technical Specialist, Mr. Yaw Atta Arhin.
The meeting focused on reversing the decline in media engagement on sanitation and charting a progressive, professional, and dynamic path forward for the coalition.
M-CODe revealed that Statistical data shows Ghana had made measurable gains, with open defecation rates dropping from 22% in 2010 to 11.7% in 2024.
However, progress has stalled in the Northern, Upper East and parts of the Greater Accra region where infrastructure gaps and behavioural norms persist.
M-CODe’s leadership presented a proposal titled – “Revitalising the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe) for Sustainable Change in Ghana. A Strategic Initiative to Amplify Advocacy, Influence Policy, and Accelerate Ghana’s Journey to an Open Defecation-Free Status by 2030” to World Vision.
Mr. Yaw Atta Arhin, speaking on behalf of World Vision Ghana, commended the leadership for the proactive initiative to revamp M-CODe and said the proposal would be favourably considered.
Mr. Ameyibor expressed concern that advocacy fatigue had set in and stressed the need for a purposeful reset that treats journalists as sustained partners in behaviour change, not just event reporters.
He recalled that M-CODe was established in September 2018 with support from World Vision Ghana and Kings Hall Media to harness the power of the media in advocating for improved sanitation.
Since then, the coalition has played a key role through its regional branches and national team in raising public awareness, holding duty-bearers accountable, and amplifying community voices.
Mr. Ameyibor said momentum had waned because of the inconsistent funding, limited advanced training for members, and shifting media priorities.
He noted that the advocacy relapse has created a vacuum, allowing open defecation to remain a low-priority issue for policymakers and the public alike, calling for enhanced World Vision Ghana support to change the narrative.
He reiterated that the revitalisation plan focuses on media advocacy, capacity strengthening, and high-level stakeholder engagement and aims to transform M-CODe from a passive network into a proactive advocacy force by building journalists’ skills in investigative reporting, advocacy, and digital storytelling across all 16 regions.
He said World Vision Ghana would be expected to play a key supporting role by providing technical, financial, and institutional support.
Mr. Emmanuel Addai, a patron of M-CODe on is part added that the strategy also involved engaging traditional and political leaders to secure at least 35 concrete commitments and re-launching a targeted multi-platform campaign to reach 1.5 million Ghanaians directly.
The approach, he said, would trigger increased government investment, foster policy action, and create sustainable advocacy structures for long-term impact.
He said the plan also includes establishing a formal secretariat, clear membership criteria, and a performance charter for media houses.
He reaffirmed that Ghana stands at a critical juncture in its quest to achieve Open Defecation Free status by 2030 and said with strategic support, M-CODe could be revitalised into a powerful, sustainable advocacy force.
He disclosed that M-CODe invited World Vision Ghana to partner with them in the urgent and impactful initiative so that together, they could reignite the media’s power as a catalyst for change, ensuring that every Ghanaian could live with dignity, health, and safety.
