Chamber pot going extinct

Chamber pots, locally known in the Twi language as "kuraba," are gradually going extinct from major markets across the country.

Vendors of the product say local manufacturers of chamber pots have attributed the prevailing situation of the non-availability of the pots to the lack of raw material for mass production.

Large size

The vendors, who spoke with The Mirror, said chamber pots, particularly the large size, were still very useful and served as toilet bowls for the aged, especially those who are bedridden.

During a tour of some markets such as the Berekum, Sunyani, Techiman,  Seikwa, Kumasi Central, Alabar in Kumasi, Obuasi and Accra Central, wholesalers and retailers of chamber pots said the scarcity of raw materials has compelled manufacturers to halt the production of the original chamber pot.

A vendor, Adwoa Adowaa,  however, said the manufacturers have introduced minor black plastic buckets of six litre, many of which have been converted into chamber pots for both young and old in many households.

According to her, her interaction with customers indicated that old people, especially bedridden were unable to use the improvised (six-litre bucket) chamber pot.

Chamber pots are sold between GH₵8 and GH₵15, while the six-litre black buckets are sold between GH₵12 and GH₵15.

The Mirror had the opportunity to engage some retailers, wholesalers and local manufacturers of chamber pots across the country over the past three months.

Local manufacturers

Responding to the claims of the vendors during a visit to manufacturing industries at the South Industrial Area in Accra, the Sales attendant at the KGM Industries, Mr Ben Nyarko, said a  Ghanaian company known as Mamba Plast, which produced the old model of chamber pots, had collapsed.

“The company collapsed many years ago and no company has been interested in producing their old model chamber pots and that is why you do not find the product on the market," he said.

He, however, said his company had never produced that model of chamber pots.

The Manager of the Accra Depot of the KGM Industries, Mr Karltik Yadav, also added that his company had never produced the local product, explaining that it takes a lot of effort and decisions before a company can introduce a product into the market.

He said they have various litres of the black plastic buckets that could serve the same purpose as a chamber pot.

At Qualiplast, the Sales Attendant, Mr Kofi Amankwa, also said they do not produce chamber pots but rather the six-litre black buckets.

The situation was, however, different at Decor Plast where a member of the Sales Team, Ms Priscilla Nyarko, explained that they only produce the small size of chamber pots for infants.

Ms Nyarko said the market value for the product had reduced so they were focused on producing very small quantities of the product.

Chamber pot

Chamber pot, as it is known traditionally, is a small round bowl with a handle which is usually used for storing human waste at night and also doubles as a toilet for children.

When The Mirror visited some of the markets, there was no sight of the chamber pots which used to be very common in sizes and colours on the markets.

A chamber pot dealer in front of the GCB Bank PLC at the Accra Central Market, Naa Atswei, told The Mirror she had sold plastics for 22 years.

She said a lot of people do ask for the old model chamber pot but they tell them it is out of the system.

"Local manufacturers say they do not have the raw materials but they bring us the new six-litre buckets because that is what is being used as an alternative chamber pot in various homes, if they do not have the raw material then what do they use for the six-litre buckets?” she asked.

A well-known wholesaler at the Alabar Market, in Kumasi, Alhaji Seidu explained that "people still want the old model for their aged relatives because it is very useful with many customers still seeking for the large size.

Writer's email address: lydiaezit@gmail.com