The acting Central Regional Environmental Health and Sanitation Officer, Paul Nutsugha has expressed hope for the region’s attainment of an Open Defecation Free status by the 2019 deadline.

Open defecation is a critical issue in the region with over 200 communities identified for the practice. A number of economic losses have been attributed to the practice. The extent of the problem is quite huge.

The Multiple Indication Cluster Survey in 2010 says over five million Ghanaians defecate in the open every day and Central Region constitutes quite a significant number.

The Central Regional Sanitation Office has since 2010 been working on a programme implementation intended for communities to attain open defecation free status by themselves.

Speaking on Ultimate News’ Central regional correspondent Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour on efforts in ending open defecation in the region, Mr. Nutsugah explained that though the task is daunting ,efforts are being doubled to end the menace in the region.

Mr. Nustugha explained that basically, sanitation improvement works within three key parameters: the education component which is the behavioural change communication, law enforcement and some that need engineering solutions.

He said all these have been appraised and therefore with the support of the communities and general public, the problem of open defecation will be effectively addressed.