President John Dramani Mahama has instructed all district assemblies to deny building permits for any construction that does not include proper sanitation facilities. This directive is part of renewed efforts to combat open defecation, a persistent issue that continues to jeopardize public health and the environment in several regions of the country.
During the launch of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Voluntary National Report, President Mahama emphasised the need for strict enforcement of building regulations to ensure that all new residential, commercial, and public structures include functional toilet facilities.
“It is unacceptable that in 2025, open defecation still occurs in parts of Ghana,” he stated. “This is not just a public health issue; it is a matter of dignity and equity. Our sanitation crisis is not due to a lack of knowledge, but rather a result of gaps in investment, enforcement, and community engagement. We must take decisive action to eliminate this practice.”
The President questioned why the problem continues despite existing bylaws requiring sanitation facilities as a condition for building permits. “All district assemblies have in their by-laws that you can’t obtain a building permit without providing sanitation facilities. So, how is it that people are still defecating in the open—what many jokingly refer to as ‘free range’?
The most disturbing part is that some say they prefer it because they get ‘air conditioning at their rear end.’” He urged local authorities to live up to their mandates and crack down on non-compliance. “The district assemblies must enforce their bylaws. No one should be allowed to build without sanitation facilities,” he added.
By: Akosua Otchere
