Abstract

This study examined the barriers to open defecation (OD) free in Kwahu Afram Plains South District, Ghana. A combination of diverse tools was used to collect the data (in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and observation), different means was adopted in selecting the participants. Much of the time in the early stages of the field work was spent having interactions with various groups within the community. Notable groups include the community care coalition, savings groups, mother to mother support groups and community child protection committee (CPCC), the fishmongers as they waited for fish at the beach, and the fishermen who had either returned from fishing or did not go for fishing and were relaxing under their shed. A questionnaire was administered to 169 households randomly selected from 6 communities in the Tease Area Council and 5 communities in the Samanhyia Area Council. The findings revealed that, 69% indicated their responsiveness to continue OD if subsidy is not introduced. 64% alluded that, every household should own a sanitary toilet facility however in terms of measures to ensure sanity at the toilet facility. 110 respondents representing 65% were not able to articulate a measure to the usage of sanitary toilet facility. 74% were not able to articulate a measure to ensure cleanliness at the toilet facility. The findings of the research conclude that, the inability of households to construct toilet facility highly influenced the state of open defecation in communities and this is translated into the limited toilet facilities in communities.

Key words: Finance mechanisms, open defecation free, Ghana, families, households.