Residents of Kontomponiafere in the Ashanti region are grieving over the dangerous state of their toilet facility as a newly-constructed facility remains under lock.

Residents resort to open defecation as they prevail on the local assembly to put the new facility into use.

Kontomponiafere is a small community near the Kumasi Airport area in the Asokore Mampong Municipality.

The over 300 residents in the community lack a decent toilet facility.

The only facility which is over a hundred years old, broke down in 2008, compelling indigenes to resort to open defecation. 

The toilet seats are currently hanging, a death trap that can collapse on persons who try to use it. 

A 3-year-old facility built to replace the old toilet sits in weeds. 

The building funded by the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme and commissioned in 2020, has not been in use. 

The chief of Kontomponiafere, Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua, says authorities have ignored several pleas to put the toilet to use.

“Most of the residents defecate in the bushes, which is very bad. I have been to the MCE’s office a couple of times to discuss the way forward, as to if it's an issue of finances, mobilization, or the like to get the facility opened. Looks like something is blocking the opening, and the assurances keep coming yet we don't see anything. 

“I have made several efforts to meet Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak. Initially, he was responding, however, he hasn't been replying to my messages lately,” he said while speaking on the sidelines of a party for underprivileged children in the community to commemorate his one year of enstoolment. 

According to residents, the new building which now serves as a hideout for drug users, has also been ransacked by criminals. 

“After completion, it took over a year before it was commissioned. Because it sits idle, thieves have ransacked the place and taken valuable things in the building. So the contractors sealed the entrances. We are hoping it would be opened for public use.  We are a lot in this community. Currently, rascals and criminals have inhabited the place as their base. The Police have been here to curtail the situation but to no avail. 

“We even at a time planned to break into it and open it for the community, but we realized it would be unlawful. The old one is dangerous and can collapse on anyone who tries to use it anytime,” a resident revealed. 

Kwame Akosah, another resident said “our old toilet is condemned and not fit for use. The new one has been sitting idle for over 3 years. The MCE came to work on its opening, but we haven't heard anything from them. We also deserve to be the airport residential area of Kumasi airport.

“It is indecent to find young people defecating in bare spaces around the community, yet they have no choice. We appeal to the MCE, Kennedy Kankam, MP, Muntaka Mohammed, and the government to turn attention to this place. Now the new one is even deteriorating; the ceilings are breaking and ripping off. We may decide not to vote because of this in 2024,” he said.