Ghanaian Child sanitation diplomat is urging adults to set an example for children by refraining from open defecation.

"We need the support of every adult, every parent, and every person in authority at every level to always show us a good example by refraining from the act, by providing toilet facilities to their families and offices, and by developing better policies," Mawadatu Naziru said.

Mawadatu Naziru says she would continue to call on the current generation of children to say no to open defecation and collectively decide to end the act even as children.

"As a child, I have always believed in solutions and I also do believe that several other children like me have very brilliant ideas to share even on several adult-focused meetings for sustainable solutions to some of Ghana’s challenges."

She was speaking at the 32nd Mole WASH conference held in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

This year’s conference on the theme "Repositioning the WASH Sector for Emergency Response and Sustainable Development" takes place at a time the Covid-19 pandemic has plunged the global economy into recession, with an additional 119 to 124 million people pushed into extreme poverty in 2020.

It discusses four sub-themes around Risk-informed WASH Programming (WASH in Emergencies), WASH as Catalyst for Growth and Sustainable Development, Water Resources Management for Equitable Growth and Sustainable Development and Information, Communication, Technology (ICT) for Sustainable WASH Services Delivery.

“At the close of proceedings, a communique will be adopted which will be implemented and reported at the next Mole Conference,” said Yaw Attah Arhin, Chair of CONIWAS.

Mole Conference continues to receive tremendous support from various stakeholders including UNICEF for believing in strengthening and advocacy.

According to Mawadatu, every decision taken at the conference should be in the best interest of the Ghanaian child.

Mawadatu is the reigning Child Sanitation Diplomat for 2021 after she won a nationwide quiz on sanitation.

The 12-year-old has set a task for herself to learn more about basic sanitation and hygiene, and share the lessons with Ghanaian children as possible.

"Several children have already understood the message calling on Ghanaians to stop open defecation and are determined to heed to the call, yet before our wish to stop open defecation can be realized, we need the support of every adult, every parent, and every person in authority at every level to always show us a good example by refraining from the act, by providing toilet facilities to their families and offices, and by developing better policies."