Accra, Nov 19, GNA- Prof Mike Oquaye Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament has encouraged the private sector to invest in human excreta facilities because it brings huge returns. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Dome-Kwabenya legislator said "toilet affair is a good business and business people must go into it." He said in India, small companies have made huge profits providing toilet facilities country wide.

Prof Oquaye who was making a statement to mark the World Toilet Day called on Ghanaians to learn from India how to build public toilets. "We can visit densely populated nations as India and learn the building of simple public toilets with water soap and toilet rolls provided for a small fee", he said.

He said prudent management of human waste would not only improve our national health but would impact positively on the economy. "No serious tourism will take place in Ghana when the beaches are littered with human defecation", he said, adding that when tourists were forced to see what they do not want to see, quality tourism would always elude Ghana.

He said studies had shown that women were more prone to contamination from lack of hygienic toilet facilities stressing that they catch germs which even travel to the foetus. "The cause to the nation is far greater than we have ever weighed critically", he said.

Prof Oquaye said children face squalor, misery, sickness and even death as a result of our bad toileting habit adding "this must change." He stated that toilet affairs must be given the highest priority as the country planned the use of its oil funds. "All houses should be required to build toilet as part of the building process", he said, adding that all public places including beer bars, food joints, shops, petrol stations and all which provide commercial services should provide toilets as an integral part of their service. Contributing to the statement, Mr Kojo Adu Asare, Member for Adenta, said most of the beaches were lined with human excreta which always discouraged tourist attraction.

Mr Maxwell Kofi Juma, Member for Asokwa, said it was a national regret that there were not enough toilet facilities in Ghana. He called on the all politicians to educate the masses on the need to make available places of convenience at homes and public places. Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Member for Weija, said District Assemblies must ensure that when they grant building permits, they must inspect the structure that was build to ensure that all houses have toilet facilities. 19 Nov 10