As part of plans by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) improve sanitation in the metropolis, it banned the use of pan latrines in homes and public places of convenience, but surprisingly, it is still in use at a police barracks. This is the Chorkor police barracks, where personnel are compelled to use pan latrines instead of modern water closets (WC).

According to a concerned personnel, who spoke to the Accra File, letters have been written to the Police Headquarters for water closet toilets to be built, since it was posing a serious health threat to them and nearby residents.

The officer indicated that there were 16 personnel with their families in the barracks using four pan latrines as a place of convenience.

The black uniformed man noted that there had been several complaints from neighbouring residents about the awful stench it produces.

He indicated that the AMA sanitation inspectors once cautioned them to eliminate the pan latrines, but till date, nothing had been done about the situation.

He added that each personnel is charged GH¢20 a month for the pan latrine to be empted and disposed at midnight into the sea.

He noted that because of the nature of their place of convenience, they always suffered from diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea. However, it is surprising that those expected to be law enforcers are themselves law breakers, since it is part of the assembly’s bye-laws that individual homes, shops and other public places have an approved place of convenience.

The practice of engaging persons to carry faeces, however, is against human rights and dignity.

The assembly even embarked upon putting up 42-seater water closet toilets across the metropolis to end indiscriminating public defecation.

Also, the AMA made known that over 11,000 homes had benefited from the installation of the water closet (WC) toilets initiative, which has reduced the number of pan latrines in use to 214, and hoped to eliminate it totally this year.

Furthermore, the assembly recently announced a new scientific method of disposing of liquid waste to eliminate the famous Lavender Hill, and the completion of the Legon liquid waste treatment centre to serve the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies, Presbyterian Senior High School (PRESEC), Achimota School and its environs.

Although the AMA initiative is laudable, the assembly must not loss focus or be selective in addressing sanitation issues, especially the elimination of pan latrines in the capital, since it has great negative environmental effects.