“Rural Development Rests on Education and Sanitation” — Mrs Emma Asare Advocates at World Toilet Day Celebration

Stakeholders in the Ekumfi District have marked this year’s World Toilet Day with a powerful call for improved sanitation, menstrual health support and strong investment in rural education. The event was held on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, at Ekumfi Engow under the theme “Sanitation in a Changing World.”

Delivering the keynote address, Mrs Emma Asare, Founder of the Rural and Deprived Community Outreach (RADCO), underscored the importance of sanitation as a fundamental human right. She stressed that the unequal distribution of sanitation facilities between urban and rural areas continues to affect national development.

She stated that: “If we truly want our rural communities to rise, then we must rise to meet their needs. Rural development rests firmly on two pillars: education that enlightens the mind, and sanitation that protects the body.”

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.

Adding her voice, Nana Esi Ninsin VIII, Nyimfahembaa of Ekumfi Traditional Area, appealed for partnerships to support her sanitary pads donation drive and the renovation of the Amorkhor Art Haus Training Centre. She noted that ending menstrual poverty is crucial to keeping girls in school and protecting their dignity.

The District Director of Education, Ms Kafui Mary Ahlijah, also emphasised the link between sanitation and academic performance. She pointed out that cholera, dysentery and other sanitation-related diseases remain common in communities without proper toilet facilities, urging chiefs and community leaders to take responsibility for maintaining hygienic environments.

NGOs such as the Sankofa Care Initiative and Global Brigades supported the event with menstrual hygiene education, Smart Sanitary Kits and donations of sanitary pads.

The celebration concluded with a unified appeal for stronger partnerships to end menstrual poverty, eliminate open defecation and ensure that rural girls can learn in safety and dignity.

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