Colombia and Ghana Combine Efforts to Improve Sanitary Conditions

UNDP South-South|Galaxy Knowledge Hub

Colombia and Ghana Combine Efforts to Improve Sanitary Conditions

Introducing innovative and low-cost technology to improve sanitation

Challenges

Nyapienya and Langma are rural communities in the Osudoku District of the Greater Accra region, about 6 km from Dodowa, Ghana. Despite their proximity to semi-rural and urban areas, the members of the community live in precarious circumstances and their basic needs are not met.

Since only 5 per cent of the houses are connected to sewage systems and most drainpipes are not covered, some families defecate in pipes and open areas. Limited access to health services, clean water and sanitation contributes to 70 per cent of diseases among the population and is one of the main causes of mortality. An important solution is the construction of toilets that do not require water or sewage systems and that can, thus, improve national sanitary conditions.

Toward a Solution

The rational use of water and the state’s capacity to provide sewage systems are highly relevant. Consequently, training in building a prototype composting toilet and building them were identified as key steps to address the environmental and social sanitary challenges in Nyapienya and Langma. This training promotes collective and participatory activities among community members, where traditional knowledge is recognized and promoted, as is proper residual management, and where accessible, new, low-cost technology is introduced that can be replicated for proper management of human waste. As a result, the composting toilets were decorated with symbolic elements of the Nyapienya and Langma communities.

In Nyapienya, the communal leaders of each of the churches bring together the community, the group of assembly men who make important community decisions, members of the local government such as the chief of water and sanitary conditions, INDEPTH Network local directors, teachers in nearby communities and 40 women and men of the community.

In Langma, the tribal chief of the area is responsible for communal development. There, the main beneficiaries of the project are members of the Jamestown zone and members from distant communities. Th project also engages young volunteers from Rojal NU- the Network of African Youths for Development – in charge of project replication, and 44 women and men who received training to build three prototypes of compost toilets for their communities.

All new technologies, whether alternative or intuitive, must be supported by an appropriate study of social context and a high level of awareness regarding the need for and how to use them. A strong educational programme and training are needed to ensure the design, construction and correct use of the composting toilets, which will be used daily, in keeping with local resources. Accordingly, the Organizmo Foundation developed three stages for project implementation: (i) implementation; (ii) awareness; and, iii) follow-up.

INDEPTH was present during all of the stages. It was responsible for the community’s ongoing training in the technology and enabled direct follow-up. From the very beginning, plans were in place to replicate the experience so that when the training ends, the leaders can become multipliers and move to nearby communities to share their new knowledge.

Today, around 120 people use these toilets daily. This contributes to the proper management of sanitary conditions (SDG 6) and to improving the communities’ health and wellbeing conditions (SDG 3). Additionally, the implementation of dry toilets contributes to the end of poverty (SDG 1) and gender equality (SDG 5) because there is a direct link between female school leaving and the precarious conditions that women from these towns faced due to the poor sanitary conditions they faced when menstruating, which can cause urinary or vaginal diseases.

The original proposal to implement this project in Ghana was made by the Colombian Embassy in Ghana, under the aegis of its humanitarian cooperation programme. The Embassy received strong support from Colombia’s international cooperation agency, APC Colombia, which established an alliance with the Organizmo Foundation2 based on its experience developing educational models for green building techniques and alternative technologies. Later, the Organizmo Foundation went to Ghana and taught these communities how to build and use the composting toilets properly. INDEPTH Network and Rojal NU provided support during the initial stages of the project and carried out follow-up actions to ensure the project’s impact and sustainability. The Colombian Embassy in Ghana contributed to the construction of an additional two toilet prototypes, thereby guaranteeing the replication of the project.

Composting toilets are an appropriate technology in settings where water and sewers are lacking. The composting bath is designed to dehydrate faecal matter in a healthy decomposition process. Initially, the Organizmo Foundation applied this technology and its training programme in Colombian communities located in Amazonas, Sucre, Magdalena, Cundinamarca and Chocó, among others.

The composting bath technology can be replicated in any other developing country where the implementation of appropriate or intuitive alternative technologies is needed. It can be used to allow individuals and social groups to assume the responsibility of transforming territories exposed to degenerative processes into sustainable environments.

The major challenge in replicating this project is the need for an awareness programme that must accompany construction of the toilets’ technology. This programme is focused on generating a change in the dynamics of the community by developing a different understanding of the environment and the cycles of nature.

To achieve comprehensive impacts, these technologies must:

be based on traditional knowledge;
adapt to the territory
strengthen local exchange with solidarity principles;
be economically accessible to the general population;
take into consideration the sociocultural context of the communities that build them;
optimize the use and processing of local resources and energy sources in its design;
be applied at the local level;
be creative in their construction; and
be appropriable and scalable by the community.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Ms. Ana María Gutierrez, Organizmo Foundation, Director, Colombia

SDG
06 - Clean Water and Sanitation

SUPPORTED BY
APC-Colombia, Fundación Organizmo, Colombian Embassy in Africa, INDEPTH Network and Royal Nu

ABOUT

Disclosures

RESOURCES

Disclosures

ENGAGE

Disclosures

Alliance Application Form

Submit an Expression of Interest and/or Demand Signal. UNOSSC reviews submissions on a rolling basis.

1. Official name of organization / institution / government entity (exclusions to apply) *

2. Country *

3. Region *

4. SDG *

Secondary SDG *

5. Partner category *

6. Website *

7. Brief description of your institution (max. 150 words) *

Name for the Lead *

Title for the Lead *

Email address for the Lead *

Name for the co-lead

Title for the co-lead

Email address for the co-lead

Section 3. Expression of Interest in the Alliance *

Offer expertise, resources, partnership, or collaboration

Demand Signal (Request for cooperation, support, or partnership)

Both (Offering capabilities and expressing demand for collaboration)

Additional information on proposed areas of engagement may be requested through the platform following initial review by the Alliance Secretariat.

Section 4. Due Diligence and Integrity Declaration *

Our organization complies with United Nations values, principles, and ethical standards.

We are not subject to UN sanctions or listed on applicable UN exclusion or ineligibility lists.

We understand that participation in Alliance activities may be subject to due diligence conducted by the Alliance Secretariat, consistent with applicable UN policies.

We acknowledge that engagement under the Alliance does not imply formal membership.

Submission Note:

Submission of this Expression of Interest form does not automatically confer participation in the Alliance.

All submissions will be reviewed by the Alliance Secretariat, including basic eligibility screening and proportionate due diligence, as appropriate.

Participation in Alliance activities is determined based on relevance to articulated cooperation needs, alignment with Alliance principles, and integrity considerations.

Engagement under the Alliance is voluntary, non-binding, and facilitative in nature, and does not constitute funding approval, contractual commitment, or institutional membership.

The Alliance Secretariat may contact submitting entities for additional information or clarification during the review process.

Organization Registration

Authentication & Due Diligence This prototype simulates identity verification, due diligence confirmation, and an authentication step before submission. *

Due diligence declarationWe confirm compliance with UN values, ethical standards, and we are not subject to sanctions/exclusion lists.

First Name *

Last Name *

Email address *

Password *

Confirm Password *

Name of institution / organization *

Country / Region *

Organization Type *

Organization other *

Function / role *

Organization logo *

Maximum file size: 1 GB

I confirm this information is accurate and I agree to be contacted about network participation. *