A recent CLTS verification exercise was conducted in Afadzato South District and Akatsi South Municipality, with support from UNICEF. The exercise aimed to verify sanitation status of the communities in the two districts, in line with the Regional Inter – Agency Coordinating Committee on Sanitation’s (RICCS) efforts to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) in the Region.

The Communities presented for verification were Peterkope, Agbesia Zongo 1, AgbesiaZongo 2, Tafi Havorgodo, Koluenu Bridge 1, Koluenu Jerusalem, Sokpe, Nyagno Agordome, Kpokope. Out of the nine (9) communities presented, eight (8) communities verified met the CLTS standard but Kpokope was not able to pass the verification criteria.

Similarly, in the Akatsi South Municipality, nine Communities were presented out of which seven  conformed to the standard of CLTS criteria as follow; Wodome Gborgame, Logakope Morgodo, Kpetraza , Adrakpo Junction, Awata Newtown , Morgatsite, Kotomensakope. The two communities that were not able to meet the verification standard were Homadzikope and Yaluvi Kokukope

The verification team included RICCS members with two independent verifiers, Mr. Richard Mawusi Agortse (Afadzato South) and Mr. Reuben Azilaku (Akatsi South). The declaration has increased number of Open Defacation Free (ODF) in the Region. The Regional Environmental Health officer commended the staffs of the two districts for their zeal into the work of CLTS.