Janok Foundation, a community-based organization at Sabon Zongo in Accra with support from Water Aid, Ghana are collaborating to map out a sanitation risks reduction plan in the Ablekuma Central District.

Their joint efforts would help develop strategies and promote good sanitation culture as a way of life and encourage effective coordination among the people of the area.

Mr Benjamin Lartey, Resource Person and Project Coordinator of the Global Neighbourhood Healthcare Development Organisation (GLONEDO) disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at one of their community sanitation mapping programmes at Sabon Zongo.

He said: “We are examining the adaptive capacities of the people to promote and explore preparedness strategies that can strengthen the community’s ability to manage and recover from poor environmental sanitation.”

Mr Lartey said other plans were to effectively engage in dialogue on their particular needs with relevant stakeholders to achieve community ownership and participation to improve the environment and reduce the risks of a disaster.

“The focus will also be on best practices for formulating and implementing improved environmental policies for supporting the people, what they need to know and key steps to take to avoid an outbreak of diseases,” he said.

Madam Jane Amerley Oku, the Chief Executive Officer of Janok Foundation, told the GNA in an interview that, her organisation believes the sanitation culture project would achieve maximum results and enhance the living conditions of the people of the community.

"Women are the most vulnerable when an outbreak occurs and with the collaboration we will assess their disaster preparedness and strategies to promote community resilience,” she said.

Madam Oku, who is also a community facilitator, said she would ensure full the implementation of a Community Action Plan that would come out of the community mapping strategy in the area.

She expressed gratitude to GLONEDO and Water Aid, Ghana for supporting the Zongo community with the programme.