GHANA @ 50 TOILETS ABANDONED

After four years of Ghana@50 celebrations the public restroom project that the Ghana@50 Secretariat awarded for construction in 2007, has not been completed. 

Ghana@50's official website states that the celebrations and subsequent projects aim to provide perpetual reminders to present and future generations of Ghanaians, but more importantly, to be seen as useful testaments, which will contribute to improving the lives of Ghanaians and inspire them to greater commitment to the people and the nation. Prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, said that “good clean toilets are associated with good health, good manners, good upbringing, good housekeeping and civilisation”, which is why the government of Ghana felt this must be a national effort.

Construction begun on the restrooms in 2007, it is estimated over one hundred (100) toilet projects were started all over the nation. Due to the embezzlement of funds, contractors were not paid and as a result not one of the projects nationwide was completed. 

The DPP said the Commission also found out that contrary to Articles 176 and 178 of the 1992 Constitution, the Secretariat and NPC utilised all the Internally Generated Fund (IGF) totalling GH¢19,352,498 without Parliamentary approval. In August 2010, Dr Charles Wireko-Brobby, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana@50 Secretariat, and Kwadwo Okyere Mpiani, Chairman of the National Planning Committee for the celebrations, were discharged from knowingly and intentionally causing financial loss to the State. 

 An inquiry into the funding created the 'Presidential Commission'mid-2010, which probed the Ghana@50 celebrations and submitted a report of recommendations to President Mills at the Castle Osu on Wednesday, December 23rd. Upon receipt of the report, President Mills assured Ghanaians that his administration will study the recommendations carefully and accordingly. “... as we go through the report, I want to assure you that your recommendations are going to be studied with all seriousness and whatever action has to be taken will be taken without fear or favour,” was announced by the president at press release in Osu Castle. It was further noted by Vice President John Dramani Mahamain late February 2011 that the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would continue to do all that it could to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians. Vice President Mahama said Government would continue to provide jobs and to create a conducive environment for good governance and the rule of law. 

Locally, in Abura the Jubilee rest area is in a precinct much needed by the community, as the current public toilet now has over hour long queues. Tahir Kojo Ayub, a local of the area, was frustrated by the progress the current government had made. He saw the project as a waste of his and others tax money as the promised toilet has not been completed. Mr Ayub has appealed to the local assembly, but has failed to get a reaction.

Komanstse also has an unfinished Jubilee toilet, which now has an individual residing in it illegally for the past six months after he obtained the keys from a labourer who worked on the project. The bathroom in Elmina is covered in weeds but only needs electricity and plumbing allocation to be completed. The Ho Hliha Public toilet has not been handed over to the local community because the contractor has not been paid; the contractor has threatened to run the toilet himself to attempt to defray his costs in building it. The contractor (who did not want to be named) also said that such facilities should be vested solely in the hands of the District Assembly and Metro Assembly, and not any party agent. 

All convenience areas will also require a cleaning and maintenance scheme to be created by the local areas. Proper signage needs to be implemented to appeal to travellers and encourage them to also use the rest areas. Due to locals not having these proper rest areas to use, they are using bush land behind the bathrooms and the coastline, which makes the areas smelly, dirty, uninviting and unappealing for any tourists who may visit the area.

It is unclear whose jurisdiction the Jubilee toilets fall under. Most are in prime positions, in communities and beside companies and service stations. This  means there may be opportunity for the toilet to be on-sold by contractors to locals who will benefit from the sound investment of owning a public convenience area. This also benefits the community, employing locals for maintenance and cleaning. Action needs to be taken as soon as possible as the toilets risk falling into disrepair.

-Olivia Berry (Projects Abroad)