Sokode ando: Humanitarian and Community Development Projects (HCDP Ghana), in partnership with Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA), has built and handed over an Ecosan toilet facility to the people of Sokode Ando in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region, with a call for the community to take ownership of the facility and promote sustainable sanitation practices. The facility is intended to improve access to safe sanitation, reduce open defecation, protect water sources, and create a healthier environment for residents, particularly schoolchildren and vulnerable community members.
According to Ghana Web, the Director of HCDP Ghana, Richard Anku, highlighted that poor sanitation is a significant developmental challenge in the area. He noted that inadequate access to hygienic toilet facilities contributes to the spread of diseases, contamination of water sources, environmental pollution, and open defecation. Anku stated that the partnership between HCDP Ghana and EWB-USA aims to address basic community needs while promoting sustainable solutions to sanitation challenges. The Ecosan facility is designed to manage human waste safely, reduce environmental pollution, and promote resource recovery through compost production.
Anku emphasized that the facility, which includes six toilet rooms and three storerooms for processing waste into fertilizers, will improve access to safe sanitation, prevent disease, and protect water sources from contamination. He added that the facility would provide greater privacy, safety, and dignity, especially for women, children, older persons, and other vulnerable community members. Anku stressed that completing the project marks only the beginning, urging residents and community leaders to take full ownership of the facility by maintaining cleanliness and promoting responsible usage.
Team Lead of EWB-Tulane University, Myla Reed, explained that the Ecosan project had been implemented over approximately three years. During this time, the team engaged the community to understand its needs and develop appropriate solutions. Reed noted that the water component of the project was completed in April 2026 and had been providing water to the community. The opening of the toilet and processing facilities marks another important milestone. She explained that the waste from the toilet would be processed by mixing it with food waste to produce fertilizers, supporting farming activities and livelihoods in the community.
Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Edem Kofi Kpotosu, remarked that the facility would particularly benefit schoolchildren by providing convenient access to toilet facilities and helping maintain a school compound free from open defecation. He highlighted the importance of the Ecosan system in promoting the recycling and reuse of human waste. Kpotosu commended EWB-USA and HCDP Ghana for their initiative, describing the project as an example of sustainability and responsible resource management.
Anku expressed appreciation to EWB-USA, traditional authorities, community leaders, residents, technical teams, volunteers, artisans, and other stakeholders whose contributions helped make the project possible. He stated that HCDP Ghana and EWB-USA believe sustainable development is best achieved through collaboration among communities, development organizations, government institutions, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders. Anku assured residents that HCDP Ghana remains committed to working with communities to address challenges in water, sanitation, health, education, and community development.
The Ecosan facility is expected to serve as a model for sustainable sanitation in Sokode Ando while contributing to improved public health, environmental protection, and a cleaner community for present and future generations.