The Ghana Library Board (GhLB) has partnered with UK-based social enterprise Sanitopia CIC to construct 157 modern sanitation facilities across public libraries in Ghana, a major step toward improving hygiene, health, and access to quality education.
The collaboration reinforces Ghana’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
According to Lawyer Nana Yaa Owusu Aduome, a trustee of Sanitopia CIC, the partnership goes beyond infrastructure and focuses on empowering children and communities with safe, clean learning environments.
“This initiative is about giving our children the safe, clean environment they need to learn, grow, and thrive without fear of disease or discomfort,” she said.
She stressed that access to modern sanitation is a matter of dignity, especially for young girls, and plays a crucial role in keeping children in school.
“No child should have to choose between education and dignity. By joining hands with the Ghana Library Board, we are not just building toilets; we are building the future of Ghana,” she added.
At the launch event, Director-General of the Ghana Library Authority, Mr. Alhassan Ziblim Betintiche, described libraries as “living community hubs” that must offer more than books by providing safe and healthy spaces for learning.
“Access to information, literacy, and a conducive learning environment are fundamental rights every Ghanaian deserves,” he said.
Mr. Betintiche highlighted several initiatives by the Authority to expand learning opportunities nationwide, including:
• The Ghana Library App, a zero-rated platform accessible on MTN and Telecel, offering free e-books and learning materials.
• An expanded network of 139 public libraries across the country.
• Extended opening hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in selected libraries to support learners and families.
“We are deeply grateful to Sanitopia CIC for this partnership, which aligns with our vision to build libraries that not only promote literacy but also safeguard health and dignity,” he noted.
Chairman and President of Sanitopia CIC, Mr. Richard Kojo Acheampong, Esq., described the partnership as a “historic step” toward addressing sanitation challenges in educational environments across the country.
Under the agreement, Sanitopia CIC will construct 150 sanitation units for existing public libraries and an additional 150 facilities for new libraries, forming part of a broader plan to build 2,000 toilets nationwide within five years.
“This project is not merely about infrastructure, it’s about health, dignity, and education,” Mr. Acheampong said.
He explained that improved sanitation contributes to several SDGs, including:
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Preventing diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Offering safe and private sanitation facilities for women and girls.
Sanitopia CIC also aims to:
• Build community-centered sanitation systems that are safe, sustainable, and affordable.
• Convert waste into biogas and fertilizer to promote environmental and economic benefits.
• Train schools and communities to maintain the facilities effectively.
Organizers emphasized the critical link between education and sanitation, noting that no learning environment can thrive without proper hygiene.
“Knowledge is power,” Sanitopia CIC stated, “but it cannot flourish if children are falling ill from preventable diseases caused by poor sanitation. Health and learning must go hand in hand.”
Once completed, the 157 facilities will serve as a national symbol of Ghana’s progress toward a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive society.
The project also prioritizes maintenance and hygiene education to ensure that communities sustain the facilities responsibly.
“Sanitation is not just about construction, it’s about maintenance, responsibility, and behaviour change. We must educate as we build,” said Nana Yaa Owusu Aduome.
Mr. Acheampong expressed appreciation to the Ghana Library Board, Khoshakis Ltd, Guarding Professionals Ltd, and the trustees of Sanitopia CIC for their roles in the partnership.
He urged government agencies, corporate bodies, NGOs, and philanthropists in Ghana and abroad to support the mission.
“Great things happen when people come together for a cause greater than themselves,” he said. “Together, we can build a Ghana where every child has access to clean sanitation, where dignity is restored, and where every library becomes a beacon of health and knowledge.”
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to promoting literacy, protecting public health, and fostering community development through collaboration and innovation.
To support or donate to the initiative, visit Sanitopia CIC’s official platform.