On the 16th of February, 2022, the Regional Interagency Coordinating Committee on Sanitation (RICCS) held a meeting at the conference room of the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council to review the Action Points from the previous RICCS meetings, receive update on WASH activities and discuss the way forward as well as the action plan for 2022.

The meeting was chaired by the Regional Environmental Health Officer, Ms. Stella Kumedzro, on behalf of the Regional Co-ordinating Director. Opening the meeting, Ms. Kumedzro expressed gratitude to the members for the continuous support and immense dedication to duty. She entreated them to continue to exhibit commitment as the Region grapples with sanitation issues stating, “Volta Region still has sanitation challenges especially open defecation and for that reason, members should collaborate to ensure improvement in the sanitation situation this year,”

Furthermore, she expressed the optimism that the meeting would enable constructive discussion which would result in finding innovative ways to improve sanitation in the Region.

The Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Regional Environmental Health Unit, Mr. Felix Bosonkui, having taken members through the action points from the previous RICCS meeting, reported on activities carried out within the reporting period. He noted that harmonization of WASH activities and post-tidal waves sanitation management in three affected districts, and engagement of other partners on the review of Rural Sanitation Model and Strategy (RSMS) document were carried out. 

Peter Pariki-Kwashie, the Regional Focal Person for Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), on his part outlined activities to be carried out during the year, and also led discussions on the way forward. 

Mr. Aaron Kofi Amedzo, the Ho Municipal Environmental Health Officer (MEHO), made a presentation on Urban Sanitation, and also gave an overview of activities carried out, noting the achievements as well as the challenges encountered. 

He led members to review activities including the Promotion of Dry Toilet Construction by Community Members, Collaboration with other Civil Society Organisation to Support the Dry Toilet Promotion, Capacity Building for Artisans and other Stakeholders on Dry Toilet Construction, Support for Schools on Building Toilets and Changing Rooms for Girls as well as Support of Pro-Poor Families among Other Vulnerables. 

The meeting came to an end with decisions including the following:

  1. The introduction of an award scheme to enhance CLTS performance,
  2. The reintroduction of the District Parenting Programme,
  3. Strong advocacy for the involvement of District Assembly Management on MDICCS formation,
  4. The use of radio stations in Ho to communicate Social Norm Campaign activities,
  5. The need to ensure Urban Sanitation activities monitoring prior to verification.