President John Mahama has called for an immediate end to open defecation which is believed to have played a significant role in the spread of cholera in parts of the country.
He said the outbreak of cholera will be difficult to manage if the people fail to play their part to complement government’s efforts.
He is asking Ghanaians to be responsible for their health and surroundings in order to break the spread of the cholera disease.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly refurbished and expanded Iran clinic in Accra, Tuesday, the president said it is time Ghanaians saw the need to keep their environment clean and also stopped haphazard defecation.
“Sanitation facilities are provided [but] people won’t use them and some people prefer to go and do their business (defecate) outside, sometimes on the beach, on the shoreline and they say it’s more pleasant…It is totally unacceptable!.
“Cholera is caused by open defecation…and so if we must deal with cholera then we must start from our own sense of personal hygiene,” he advised.
The president stated that: “It is not government’s responsibility alone to keep our surroundings clean; the primary responsibility for keeping our surroundings clean is our own responsibility”.
Source: myjoyonline
