Adama of Niger origin lives in Ziope with her ten-member family, which her husband left behind about a year ago. 

She has been single-handedly fending for her ten children and one grandchild. 

A well that has been constructed in the compound serves as their only source of water, as they strive to make a living in the absence of other basic amenities. 

She blamed her inability to afford potable water and electricity on her impoverished lifestyle. 

“I live here with my family, my husband died and left me with the children. We have no electricity because I don’t have the money to pay for a connection”, she said. 

Worst of all, the entire household has turned their near-by bushes into their place of convenience, since her husband was unable to provide a toilet facility before his painful demise.

This development is widespread in Ziope in the Agotime Ziope District where the less privileged are unable to construct sanitary facilities in their homes. 

They mostly engage in open defecation in the outskirts of the community which relies on water from wells, streams and treatment plants. 

The Assembly Member for Ziope, Philip Kofiga Azameti said there is always a scare of outbreak of communicable diseases due to the unhygeinic practice.  

“Defecating indiscriminately is predominant here in Ziope. We often experience outbreaks of diarrhea, cholera, and other communicable disease. This has been our challenge”, he said.

This threat to public health was a concern for kinsmen in the Ziope Traditional Area and was tabled before the Dufia, Torgbui Kpordoave Ahiagba IV during his installation.

One year on, he redeemed a pledge of constructing sanitary facilities in the underprivileged suburbs in a bid the end the practice of open defecation. 

One of 5, 4-units biogas sanitation facilities earmarked to be constructed in Ziope, as part of the first phase of the campaign against communicable diseases was commissioned over the weekend.

The Leader of the Project Execution Team, Mary-Ruth Adorvlo said they decided on the use of the biogas technology because it is cheaper to construct, easy to maintain, and more hygienic, and convenient to use.

She announced that law enforcement agencies have been tasked to arrest and prosecute any individual found engaging in open defecation in the vicinity.

An elder in the community, Richard Afaglo said Torgbui Kpordoave Ahiagba IV’s vision for Ziope encompasses human resource development, women empowerment, job creation, and promoting good health and wellbeing. 

“Torgbui stated to the whole world that his philosophy is ‘development, action in unity’ so he started by listening to the people and this was their priority. 

In his speech, he mentioned some projects he has started with electrification by providing streetlights.

He said he will be looking at technology, and what investment can get the youth occupied and give jobs to the youth. 

Residents hope that Torgbui Kpordoave Ahiagba IV would continue to embark on such social projects to impact their lives.