The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) has launched an initiative to build about 2000 household toilet facilities within the municipality.

This move is aiming at ending open defecation in Ashaiman, the Municipal Chief Executive Officer (MCE), Mr. Albert Boakye Okyere, has stated. The initiative is a World Bank funded project in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP).

The GAMA project aims to increase access to improved sanitation and water facilitation within low income communities under which Ashaiman falls.

However, the household toilet facilities would not be given to beneficiaries free-of-charge. According to a mynews.com report, beneficiaries were initially to pay an amount of GH¢2,000.00 But after a subsidy by government the beneficiaries are now required to pay GH¢1,100.00.

he MCE, Mr Albert Boakye Okyere during the launch of the project said open defecation has been a national problem for some time, and Ashaiman is no exception. He condemns the practice of open defecation, stating that his Assembly will ensure the project goes on smoothly.

Mr. Okyere announced that contract has been awarded to Chinese Company, M/S China Shanxi Sijan Group Company Limited, to begin the construction of the toilets from now till the end of 2018.

He assured that construction of the toilet facility would be completed within two weeks and handed over to the household after payment has been made.

The Ashaiman MCE assured that issues such as delay after payment would not exist. A good news is that beneficiaries are also allowed to pay half of the amount and spread the rest over a 6-month payment period after the toilet facility has been handed over to the household, the MCE disclosed.

He hinted that the Assembly will embark on prosecution of house owners without household toilets facilities. Therefore, the need for landlords and landladies to take full advatnge of the GAMA project before it ends in 2018.