Former NDC Constituency Chairman for Lower Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region, David Walter Yaw Homenu, has urged assembly members, politicians, and District/Municipal Assemblies to emulate the initiative of Kpongwunor North Assembly Member, Noah Kortey Tackie.
Mr. Tackie has successfully constructed a 12-seater mechanised water closet facility to eradicate open defecation among residents of the Salem community.
In a statement to the media, M. Homenu commended Tackie for his efforts, noting that if an assembly member, who lacks access to a common fund and connections to embassies or NGOs, can construct such a modern toilet facility for his electorate, he deserves recognition.
Mr. Homenu called on all assembly members and politicians, including Members of Parliament (MPs), to follow this example.
He emphasised that with initiatives like Tackie’s, all MPs could build more than ten toilet facilities in their constituencies, which is crucial for combating open defecation, a practice that leads to disease outbreaks such as cholera and diarrhoea.
“If an assembly member could do this, then it means MPs can do ten times more, because this does not rely on any common fund. He does not have any embassy or NGO to support him,” Mr. Homenu stated.
“If we have MPs who will learn from this example, then we can achieve so much more. This also places a greater responsibility on the assemblies, which can do more in their communities.”
Mr. Homenu expressed concern over the lack of basic sanitation facilities in various areas, where community members are often forced to litter due to the absence of refuse containers or toilet facilities.
He urged every representative to initiate similar projects to support their communities.
In an interview, Noah Kortey Tackie explained the motivation behind his initiative for the Salem community. “What we realised is that most people were going to the cemetery to defecate, which posed a hazard to the community.
“So, I, as the assembly member, thought about what we could do. If the government is not stepping in, we can take action ourselves.”
Tackie highlighted the importance of community involvement, stating, “I approached prominent individuals to discuss the lack of toilets in the community, asking for their support.
“We organised fundraising events about three times, and now we have a toilet facility in Salem community.”
