Sampson Community Celebrates Open Defecation-Free Status
By Godsway Kwame Dzahini, Facilitator - Integrated Development
The Sampson community in Sekyere Afram Plains, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards improved sanitation and hygiene by achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
This remarkable transformation was driven by collective action, strong leadership and the empowerment of community members through World Vision's Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) and Empowered World View (EWV) training programmes.
“'This is a major milestone for our community. For the first time, I walked through three households and did not see any faeces or filth around people’s homes. This is the new Sampson Community for you,” said Akwasi, who is both a CVA group member and a participant in the EWV training programme.
Empowerment Through Training and Advocacy
Akwasi, and four other community members, received training on the CVA module, equipping them with the advocacy and lobbying skills to encourage local authorities to effect change. He then participated in an EWV course organised by World Vision Ghana, where he learned how to leverage local resources for development.
“The CVA training made me realise the importance of advocacy and how to engage duty bearers to promote development. When I attended the EWV training, I learnt how to use the materials readily available in our community, such as mud, sticks, and dry leaves, to build toilets before seeking external support,” Akwasi recounted.
With their newfound knowledge, Akwasi and his fellow CVA members approached the community chief to discuss a strategy for tackling open defecation.
Recognising the urgency of the issue, the chief convened a community meeting to rally support for the initiative. He led by example, being the first to build a toilet for his household, demonstrating his commitment to the cause.
Community-Led Transformation
Inspired by the chief’s dedication, community members followed suit. Household after household began constructing toilets, which drastically reduced open defecation and improved sanitation.
'The level of faeces in the bushes and around homes was so bad that it caused illness and a terrible smell throughout the community. Now, however, the situation has changed. Most households have toilets now, and our environment is much cleaner,” Akwasi explained.
Despite the fact that that the Sekyere Afram Plains Area Programme (AP) has not yet implement the Healthy Environment And Wellness (HEAL) programme, which integrates Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) with primary healthcare, Sampson and neighbouring communities have already achieved Open defecation free (ODF)status through local initiatives.
This success in Sampson highlights the power of community-driven change and the impact of local-level advocacy. By incorporating advocacy efforts from the assessment stage and engaging faith leaders in CVA implementation, World Vision Ghana ensured that the community took ownership of its development.
The transformation of Sampson is an inspiring example for other communities seeking to improve sanitation and hygiene. Through determination, the utilisation of local resources, and strategic advocacy, the community has not only eradicated open defecation but has also set a precedent for sustainable development.