President John Dramani Mahama has instructed all district assemblies to deny building permits for any construction that fails to include proper sanitation facilities.
The directive is part of renewed efforts to combat open defecation, a persistent issue that continues to endanger public health and the environment in several parts of the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Voluntary National Report, President Mahama called for strict enforcement of building regulations to ensure all new residential, commercial, and public structures are fitted with functional toilet facilities.
“It is unacceptable that in 2025, open defecation persists in parts of Ghana,” he said. “This is not just a public health issue; it is a matter of dignity and equity. Our sanitation crisis is not caused by a lack of knowledge, but by gaps in investment, enforcement, and community engagement. We must act decisively to end this practice.”
The President questioned why the problem continues despite existing by-laws requiring sanitation facilities as a condition for building permits.
“All district assemblies have in their by-laws that you can’t obtain a building permit without providing sanitation facilities. So, how is it that people are still defecating in the open—what many jokingly refer to as ‘free range’? The most disturbing part is that some say they prefer it because they get ‘air conditioning at their rear end.’”
He urged local authorities to live up to their mandates and crack down on non-compliance. “The district assemblies must enforce their bylaws. No one should be allowed to build without sanitation facilities,” he added.
