The dilemma of sanitation coverage in Ghana

Sanitation, according to Ghana Community Water and Sanitation Agency, is the safe disposal of feacal matter through the provision of Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines to small communities and Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pits to small towns. This is in line with the Agency’s goal of improving the standard of living of small communities and small towns in the country. This paper gives account of the problem of sanitation coverage in the country. First, a brief history of the types of sanitation facilities, who provided them and how they were managed in the small communities and small towns before the inception of Community Water and Sanitation Agency. It also takes a look at the strategies that Community Water and Sanitation Agency adopted in the provision of sanitation facilities and the issues of data collection in the country. Finally, I have tried to give my views on the way forward in the country’s attempt at getting data on sanitation facilities.