A survey conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals many people in the Upper East Region, defecate in the open. In fact, the survey ranks the region the worst offender in the country. It says the region has very few toilet facilities, a situation which has implications for sanitation in the area. UNICEF is therefore warning government to step up efforts to provide more toilet facilities for people, or risk missing the 2015 target of the Millennium Development Goal of access to water and improved sanitation. UNICEF country director, Dr Iyabo Olusan-mi told Joy News’ Araba Koomson that there are a number of plans and policies that can be implemented by government to improve the sanitation situation in the country. Even though the survey was done in 2006, Dr Olusan-mi believes not much has changed. Reports from the government and other sources indicate that “we are 13 percent coverage now with regards to improve access to sanitation and the target is 53 percent, so we are far behind”. Meanwhile, residents in some parts of the Upper East region have confirmed the situation. According to them, toilets facilities are few and even those available are not in the best of conditions. They say their only option is to defecate in the open.