The Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit (EHSU) of the South Tongu District Assembly (STDA) has organised a five-day training programme on Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) implementation and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities for Environmental Health Officers from 5th to 9th October 2026.
The training brought together 22 Environmental Health Officers, two National Service Personnel and two representatives from the Human Resource Department. It was facilitated by a team from the Regional Environmental Health Unit, comprising Madam Stella Kumedzro, Regional Environmental Health Officer (REHO); Mr Festus Tagbodza, Regional CLTS Focal Person; and Mr Felix Bosonkui, CLTS Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person.
The program covered several essential topics, including the history of sanitation, the stages and expected outcomes of CLTS implementation, various latrine technologies, WASH activities, hand hygiene, and safe water treatment and storage. The sessions were designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and practical skills, particularly in CLTS and promoting improved sanitation and hygiene practices across the district.
A major highlight of the training was a practical CLTS triggering exercise conducted at Sonukpo on the fourth day, beginning at 6:00 a.m. During the exercise, participants applied the “shit area mapping” tool to facilitate community triggering. The exercise generated a powerful outcome, described as “a matchbox in a gas station,” highlighting the urgency of addressing open defecation and the potential consequences of poor sanitation practices.
The training was completed and provided participants with valuable knowledge and practical experience to enhance the implementation of CLTS and WASH interventions within their respective communities.
The initiative reaffirms the South Tongu District Assembly’s commitment to strengthening environmental health services and promoting improved sanitation and hygiene practices for healthier and cleaner communities.
