Emmanuella Akusika Agbekponu is a 18-year-old student and part-time teacher in a kindergarten where she teaches children younger than 5 years old. Emmanuella was born and raised in Accra, in the community of Ashaiman, and lives close to the Safisana recycling plant. She is a frequent user of public toilet blocks, as she doesn’t have a private toilet at home. "In our neighborhood, public toilets are a popular choice, primarily because most houses are small and lack dedicated space for sanitation facilities."
The impact of public toilets in Ashaiman
"In our area, we only have two public toilets available, the one managed by Safisana is the preferred choice for many, as their public toilet is clean and therefore comfortable to use. Having been a resident of this area for over ten years, I vividly remember what this place used to look like before Safisana installed its plant here. The place used to be quite bushy and overgrown, a lot of people resorted here to answer nature’s call. It’s a relief that Safisana has stepped in to establish a much-needed public toilet. Safisana’s public toilet has all the elements that make it welcoming and comfortable - cleanliness and friendly assistance. The lady who manages the toilet, is always welcoming and has a great sense of humor."
Toilet education
"As a teacher, I feel a strong responsibility to educate the schoolkids about the importance of toilet hygiene and the benefits of using public restrooms. I interact closely with the children, and I’ve noticed that not everyone feels comfortable using public toilets. Some of them are hesitant or even lack the financial means to pay for each visit, even though the costs of using the toilet are usually as low as 1 Ghana cedi (*approximately 0,08 eurocents). Part of my students are brought up learning to use plastic bags to relieve themselves, and they prefer to stick to what their parents have taught them. Others still make the decision to walk quite a distance from school to find some bushes."
Overcoming toilet seats fears and taboos
"Another problem that I encounter is that some of the children are unfamiliar with how to use public toilets. For those who come from backgrounds where there were no toilets at all, the toilet seats can be quite intimidating or even scary. They fear that they could fall into the toilet because the concept is foreign to them. I do my best to educate them about the advantages of using public facilities and about proper toilet hygiene. My emphasis is on the fact that toilets are not only safer for them but also more comfortable. Over time, some students make the switch but others can be stubborn and remain sceptical. It will take time because they are still very young, but when they grow older they will probably become more comfortable with the idea. I believe that using a toilet is far safer than alternatives like rubber bags or other ways of open defecation, because it can lead to health issues."
Hygienic awareness in the community
"In terms of hygiene, I believe there is a lack of awareness in our community about the importance of hygienic sanitation. Many people, even after defecation, skip handwashing. One reason could be that they believe the only place they can wash their hands properly is at home, not in a public toilet. Also, most people do not know that open defecation is one of the main causes of diseases like cholera. Improving hygiene and awareness in the community is a collective effort. It is essential for our entire community to realize the importance of handwashing after using the toilet."
Safisana’s innovative solutions
"I have always been intrigued about how Safisana turns organic waste into fertilizer. I intended to visit and learn more about the process. Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to visit the company yet. Hearing that Safisana generates electricity seems a very great concept. Especially because electricity outages are common in our area, causing disruption in our daily lives. For example, we haven’t had electricity for almost two days now. When I just left the house, it was on, so I hope it will remain so. Safisana’s initiative to generate electricity holds great promise for our community's future."
"Safisana’s initiative to generate electricity holds great promise for our community's future."
