District Director of Education Calls for Stronger Sanitation Systems to Safeguard Learning in Ekumfi

Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah, Director of Education - Ekumfi District 

The District Director of Education for Ekumfi, Ms Kafui Mary Ahlijah, has called for urgent community action to improve sanitation infrastructure in schools and households, stressing that poor hygiene directly affects children’s health, school attendance and academic performance. She made this appeal at the 2025 World Toilet Day celebration held on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, at Ekumfi Engow, on the theme “Sanitation in a Changing World.”

Addressing pupils, teachers, parents and traditional leaders, Ms Ahlijah noted that many rural schools continue to struggle with inadequate toilet facilities, lack of privacy for girls, and unhygienic surroundings that expose pupils to diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid. “We cannot expect our children to learn well when the school environment itself threatens their health,” she cautioned.

She emphasised that proper sanitation is not merely a development goal but a fundamental requirement for quality education. According to her, open defecation and improper waste disposal remain widespread in some communities within the district, posing serious health risks and undermining gains made in Basic Education.

Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah appealed to chiefs, opinion leaders and households to take full responsibility for the construction, use and maintenance of toilet facilities, warning that unsanitary conditions contribute heavily to absenteeism among pupils.

She was particularly concerned about the gender-sensitive sanitation gap, highlighting that girls are often the most affected. “No girl should have to miss school because she cannot manage her period safely and privately,” she said.

She therefore encouraged schools and parents to teach children proper toilet hygiene and menstrual health habits, reinforcing that education begins from home.

Her remarks aligned strongly with the call by stakeholders for improved sanitation as a driver of rural development. Nana Esi Ninsin VIII had earlier appealed for support to renovate the Amorkhor Art Haus and establish modern sanitation and changing facilities for girls. Mrs Emma Asare, founder of RADCO, also underscored the significant role sanitation plays in the dignity and retention of the Girl-Child in school.

The event was supported by the Sankofa Care Initiative, which educated pupils on personal and menstrual hygiene and distributed Smart Sanitary Kits. Global Brigades also contributed sanitary pads to assist girls from participating schools, which included Engow Methodist Basic School, Eyisam Islamic Basic School and Begrat Preparatory School.

Ms Ahlijah concluded her address by urging all stakeholders; government, traditional authorities, parents and community groups, to commit to the long-term maintenance of sanitation facilities. “Sanitation must become a shared responsibility if we want our children to grow in health, confidence and dignity,” she said.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie

Nana Esi Ninsin VIII Calls on Government, NGOs and Stakeholders to End Menstrual Poverty in Ekumfi

Nana Esi Ninsin VIII

Nana Esi Ninsin VIII, Nyimfahembaa of the Ekumfi Traditional Area and Odzikrohembaa of Ekumfi Ekrawfo, has urged government, non-governmental organisations and stakeholders to prioritise sanitation and menstrual health in rural communities. She made this appeal during the 2025 World Toilet Day celebration held on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, at Ekumfi Engow on the theme “Sanitation in a Changing World.”

The event formed part of activities marking her 13th anniversary as Queen Mother of Ekumfi Ekrawfo and supported her ongoing campaign to renovate the Amorkhor Art Haus Training Centre into a practical vocational hub. The centre also leads a sanitary pads donation drive aimed at eliminating menstrual poverty in the Ekumfi District.

The programme brought together a number of dignitaries, including Nananom of Engow; Mrs Emma Asare, Founder of Rural and Deprived Community Outreach (RADCO); Ms Kafui Mary Ahlijah, District Director of Education; Mr Bentsiefi Kofi Biney, Human Resource Manager at the Ekumfi Education Directorate, Mr. Richard Boatey , District SHEP Coordinator and School Improvement Support Officers (SISOs) Mr Emmanuel Woode, Mr Sylvanus Ahiadu and Mr Kenneth Johnson Siaw. Others present were Madam Esther Kwofie, Girl-Child Coordinator; Mr Kennedy Oppong Asante, Headteacher of Engow Methodist Basic School; representatives from Global Brigades; and various community and youth groups.

Basic schools represented included Engow Methodist Basic School, Eyisam Islamic Basic School and Begrat Preparatory School.

In her remarks, Nana Esi Ninsin VIII called for collaborative support to provide modern toilets, changing rooms and sanitation facilities in rural schools. She said menstrual poverty continues to hinder girls’ education and undermines their dignity.

Mrs. Emma Asare 

Mrs Emma Asare added her voice to the call for improved sanitation facilities, emphasising the disproportionate impact on girls. She remarked: “A nation cannot claim progress when its girls lack the classrooms to learn and the toilets to live with dignity.” 

Mrs Asare highlighted that poor toilet facilities in schools worsen absenteeism among girls, particularly during menstruation. Sharing a painful childhood experience, she explained how shame, lack of pads and misunderstanding from male teachers once made her school life unbearable.

She called for subsidised or free sanitary pads, improved menstrual education for boys and male teachers, and the construction of gender-sensitive toilets in rural schools urging stakeholders to prioritise menstrual health education, support for reusable pads and the construction of safe sanitation facilities in rural schools.

The Sankofa Care Initiative, led by Madam Bernice Ankrah, conducted an educational session on personal and menstrual hygiene. Participants were encouraged to use reusable sanitary pads to minimise cost and prevent exploitation of vulnerable girls.

Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah 

District Director of Education, Ms Kafui Mary Ahlijah, also appealed to chiefs and community leaders to commit to maintaining school sanitation facilities, stressing that poor hygiene contributes to the spread of diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid.

Madam Esther Kwofie, speaking on behalf of the Girl-Child Education Unit and Camfed Ghana, reiterated the need for consistent menstrual hygiene education in rural communities.

A group photograph of dignitaries with school children 

One message was clear; when rural sanitation improves, girls’ confidence grows, attendance rises and entire communities prosper. The event concluded with the distribution of Smart Sanitary Kits to female pupils, while Global Brigades supported the programme with donations of sanitary pads.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie