Factors Affecting the Implementation of Community– Led Total Sanitation in Central Region, Ghana

Abstract

Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is critical in communities’ health, survival, and development. The purpose of this study was to find out factors influencing limited achievement of CLTS implementation in the Central Region. The study adopted the qualitative phenomenological survey design with 10 facilitators, 40 household heads and five verification officers. A researcher generated interview guide was used for data collection. Using content analysis, the study revealed a total of 18 themes as: Knowledge about CLTS implementation process and conduct of facilitators during implementation, project time frame being too short, Cultural beliefs and norms, financial challenges, Unfavourable soil conditions and Socio-economic and demographic factors. Furthermore, the interview revealed that, the project communities and facilitators have some appreciable level of knowledge about the importance of the CLTS project and the implementation process. Also, natural leaders want to be paid for organising the community members to eliminate open defecation (OD). The key challenges to the success of the CLTS project were: limitation in project time frame; issues about political parties, beliefs, traditions and norms, recognition and award for open defecation free (ODF) communities, logistical constrained and funds and lack of commitment from the District Assemblies. The limited success of CLTS, challenges the Central Region’s effort at meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2. However, appropriate coordination is needed to align the various CLTS projects to the same implementation modalities. In addition, District Assemblies are encouraged to own the CLTS project, invest into the project and equip the Environmental Health Officers to carry out the implementation according to planned