The Northern Region has moved from 61.4% in 2020 in its percentage coverage of open defecation free communities to 62.6% in 2021.

Even though the region has made some progress in the fight, available data from the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit indicates worrying trends in Open Defecation in most communities.

Against this backdrop, the Northern Regional Minister Shani Alhassan Shaibu has launched an operation code-named “Clean Northern Region” to eliminate filth, promote good sanitation, and improve good health.

Addressing the chiefs and people of the region at the launch, Alhaji Shaini said open defecation is worst within the Tamale Metropolis and major surrounding towns, including Sagnarigu, Savelugu, Kumbungu and Tolon.

He said out of the total of about 116 communities in the Tamale Metropolis, only one community is certified as Open Defecation Free (ODF).

Alhaji Shaini added that Sagnarigu with a total of 83 communities has only 10 ODF communities’, Kumbungu with 136 communities has just 38 ODF communities.

Districts he further mentioned included Savelugu Municipal with a total of 76 communities with only 16 ODF communities and Tolon District 115 communities with just 27 certified.

The Minister said; comparatively, Tatale District has four communities that practice open defecation, while Kpandai and Yendi have 28 and 24 communities practicing open defecation.

The Minister, therefore, declared the last Saturday of every month as Northern Region Sanitation Day, with the first clean-up exercise slated for the 29 of May.

He said to sustain the momentum after the first exercise, a platform for the Committee on Sanitation will be set up to identify the various gaps and other related matters arising from the clean-up, requiring attention and needed action to improve upon their design plan.