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Bolgatanga East District Battles Sanitation Challenges as Waste Management and Drainage Pose Health Risks

Sanitation remains one of the most critical challenges confronting the Bolgatanga East District, particularly in the management of solid and liquid waste.

Date Created : 1/21/2026 : Story Author : Ghanadistricts.com

As with water service delivery, notable disparities exist between urban and rural sanitation conditions, with urban areas—especially Zuarungu Township—posing greater challenges due to higher waste generation.

The district faces an acute shortage of toilet facilities, particularly in Zuarungu Township, forcing many residents to resort to open defecation. This situation is largely attributed to the absence of household toilets, inadequate public toilet facilities, and the continued use of outmoded technologies such as pan latrines for excreta disposal. These practices pose serious public health risks and undermine efforts to promote environmental sanitation.

Additionally, the enforcement of sanitation by-laws by the District Assembly has remained weak, further compounding the sanitation problem. Poor compliance with sanitation regulations has contributed to indiscriminate waste disposal and unsanitary living conditions in parts of the district.

Drainage infrastructure in the urban areas is also in a poor state. Fluvial flow has been significantly disrupted, with several drainage channels degraded. The situation is worsened by the construction of buildings on waterways, which obstructs the free flow of water and results in frequent flooding whenever it rains.

Although some drains have been constructed in the township, they are inadequate to meet the needs of the growing population. Poor management of existing drainage systems has further aggravated the problem, as residents dump refuse into drains and, in some cases, use them for open defecation. These practices lead to the choking of drains, triggering flooding and heightening environmental and health risks.

The District Assembly acknowledges the urgency of addressing these sanitation challenges and is expected to intensify enforcement, improve infrastructure, and promote public education to safeguard public health and environmental sustainability.