A challenge to Mayor Vanderpuije
A reader’s letter published in The Spectator last Saturday must have touched Accra residents and visitors who are concerned about the lack of public conveniences in the city centre.
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I hope that Accra Mayor, Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, read that letter published in the weekly’s May 17 issue under the headline, ‘AMA, Provide Washrooms!’
The reader wrote:
“I was appalled, angry and sad. Yes, all the three came into play as one, when I saw the elderly woman urinating by the roadside at a spot about 30 metres from the Societe General Bank near the Ghana Lotteries.
“The traffic was very heavy on that Monday morning right opposite the Arts Centre.
“Initially I thought she was someone with a mental disorder. But she was not. I have never felt so sad for womanhood.
“My question, therefore, is to the AMA, where are the public washrooms?
“From the Osu traffic light on the Accra-La road through to James Town, there is no washroom in sight.
“Why can’t the AMA focus on providing such basic amenities rather than exert so much resource into demolition of table-top stores, kiosks and homes (of course built with sweat and toil).
“Dear reader, have you ever felt the need to visit the washroom while in traffic?
“AMA, please provide washroom for the people!
“Dorothy Adjei, Labone
“Accra.”
I congratulate Ms Adjei for taking the trouble to express this very important matter in a newspaper, reminding the officials concerned about their duty to the public.
The letter was of special interest to me because, coincidentally, just the previous day, in The Mirror of May 16, this column had returned yet again to the issue of public washrooms. This time, it was specifically the facilities offered to passengers travelling with the Intercity STC Coaches, or STC, on its Accra-Kumasi-Sunyani route.
As I stated in the article, although I was happy that the STC’s Sunyani terminal now has neat urinals for men and women passengers, unfortunately, the one supposed to be for women is not women-friendly. Evidently it has been constructed with the same design as urinals for men. Of course urinals for women need to be designed differently and enable users to stand astride and urinate into a gutter.
Having said that, although what the STC offers are far from ideal, at least they offer their passengers something. The attitude of other transport operators is downright irresponsible as far as provision of conveniences is concerned. The companies seem to go by the belief that passengers who need to attend nature’s call should do it anywhere. They don’t seem to care about the comfort or dignity of their passengers.
And they know they can get away with that attitude because clearly nobody is ensuring that the right thing is done.
In this country it seems that where public washrooms are concerned, it is not the responsibility of any particular ministry, office, official or department. Else, why would the public be treated so disrespectfully?
As the Spectator reader implied, it is totally unacceptable that if while in town one should need to attend nature’s call in Ghana’s capital city, one would not know what to do, except maybe rush back home – or do what the unidentified woman did; which men do all over the place, it must be said.
Ms Adjei’s embarrassment and anguish are evident: “Initially I thought she was someone with a mental disorder. But she was not. I have never felt so sad for womanhood.
“Dear reader, have you ever felt the need to visit the washroom while in traffic?
But, I wonder, what about the feelings of the unknown woman clearly compelled to doing in full view of the High Street traffic what she would no doubt have preferred to do in private?
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In some countries, provision of public washrooms is a priority, either free for users or for a token payment. In many western countries, one can count on finding public washrooms in train stations, bus terminals or in department stores. Some of them even have full-time attendants, to ensure constant cleanliness.
Most important of all, the authorities take care to put up signage all over, indicating where the nearest washrooms are located. Here in Ghana, sadly, even in the few places where there are public conveniences, there are no signs to direct strangers in need.
For example, apparently neither the needy woman nor Ms Adjei was aware that at the Arts Centre, in the same area where Ms Adjei witnessed the distressing scene, there is a public toilet. Naturally, as there is no sign along the street, it is only when one enters the premises that one realises that there is one there.
Another main problem is that most of the conveniences available, notably in areas where houses have no toilets, are invariably so dirty and unhygienic that only in desperation would an outsider go in.
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And obviously, those engaged to work in those places have had little or no training in their maintenance. But can you really blame them? If someone doesn’t have a water closet (WC) at home, or is not used to that facility, can one really expect that untrained person to fully appreciate WC protocol?
Most disturbing of all, nobody seems to be responsible for solving Ghana’s public conveniences inconveniences.
The plight of schools is even more appalling. A few weeks ago, the Daily Graphic reported a survey’s findings that as many as 10,000 public schools nationwide don’t have toilets.
Sanitation and dignity issues apart, there are also health considerations. Commenting on that report renowned physician Dr Felix Konotey-Ahulu said: “Aoo! Typhoid Fever, Hepatitis, Diarrhoea, to mention just some pathologies resulting from this.”
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The April 2 report made headlines and generated much discussion, but there is no sign that it has resulted in any action.
How can a nation that prides itself on being Africa’s pace-setter be so careless with basic hygiene?
One hopes that the capital’s Mayor not only saw the Spectator letter, but that he will take the suggestion in good faith and ensure that, as soon as possible, the city centre will have public washrooms, decent ones, strategically located for the convenience of those in need.
And, hopefully, the urinals for women will not be of the same design as for men, but will be women-friendly.
Furthermore, I strongly believe that people would not mind paying for decent washrooms. My suggestion is that even if the AMA has no funds for such a project, it can partner or invite private business concerns and offer them locations to build toilets, or to place portable toilets at strategic places in the city.
Also, one can envisage such an AMA model being replicated in other cities and towns in the country.
Provision of public washrooms at convenient places in our capital city – with directional signs – is long overdue. So, Mr Vanderpuije, a challenge has been thrown to you! We eagerly await your response – preferably by immediate action.
ajoayeboahafari@yahoo.com