Attention, Tourism Ministry, Ghana Tourism Authority and Accra Mayor!
An unpleasant experience I suffered recently at a hospitality facility in a well-regarded suburb of Accra has necessitated a return to the issue of public ‘places of convenience’ that in reality pose great inconvenience to users – and the need for action by the relevant agencies.
Advertisement
And I do so in the hope that Minister of Tourism Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Executive Director Mr Charles Osei Bonsu and Accra Mayor Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije will find this article helpful.
That day, I was attending a funeral at North Kaneshie, near Bintin Close, and as some friends were having drinks at a nearby restaurant/beer bar, I went there to use the washroom. Although on the door there was a bold, encouraging sign that said ‘Ladies’ urinal’, what I found inside was definitely not a ladies-friendly facility.
It had no water closet (WC), or even a simple hole in the floor. Instead, there was only a very low basin, what is known as a ‘bidet’ (pronounced ‘bee-day’), found in posh places or homes, but usually coupled with a WC. Some people like it for washing after using the WC.
The basin was so low that the only way a woman could use it was either to half-undress or squat over it in a most uncomfortable manner. Woe betide any woman wearing a ‘slit’ or jeans needing to urinate there!
How on earth could anyone offer this to customers as a “ladies’ urinal”? Or did the restaurant owner have in mind that only hermaphrodites (people with both men and women’s private parts) would be using it?
The experience reminded me of what I encountered at the State Transport Company yard in Sunyani a couple of years ago, which I wrote about (‘STC’s customer care’, Mirror of May 16, 2014):
“… The urinal for women has been designed like a urinal for men!
Other Trending Stories
“Obviously, a urinal for women needs to enable them stand astride a gutter in the middle, to enable them do the business without any acrobatics.
“But unfortunately, in this country many urinals I have come across supposedly for women have been built to favour men, as if those who design or build them have no idea about a woman’s body or how women urinate.”
Are the departments or agencies in charge of inspecting toilet facilities at public places, such as hotels, restaurants and beer bars doing their work? The GTA comes to mind and I note that it lists ‘Quality Assurance’ under its functions:
“Registration, inspection, classification and licensing of accommodation and catering enterprises, including hotels, guest houses, motels, lodgings, restaurants and fast food establishments, drinking bars and traditional catering (chop bars) establishments”.
So was that facility in North Kaneshie licensed to operate by the GTA? And the GTA gave its approval for that sort of urinal for women?
But I suppose that there are people paid to inspect these places and make sure that the washrooms are appropriate and decent?! What do they do to earn their salary?
Another reason for returning to this topic is a reader’s distress conveyed in a letter published in The Mirror of January 22.
Mrs Comfort Adzabo of Accra wrote, in reference to domestic and foreign tourists responding to the invitations to visit tourist attractions:
“However, my biggest fear is what will happen when they ask about a public place of convenience, I mean a decent public toilet facility with running water for washing hands!”
Citing her recent visit to a regional capital in the country, she said when she needed to urinate she went to a filling station, but the reception there was so unfriendly and the urinal itself so disgusting that she had to take a taxi to a hotel where she had lodged before.
Mrs Adzabo’s ordeal also reminded me of a similar cry of anguish, ‘AMA, Provide Washrooms!’ published in The Spectator of May 17, 2014 and which I wrote about on May 23, 2014, under the heading, ‘A challenge to Mayor Vanderpuije’.
The pain of Dorothy Adjei of Labone, Accra was evident in her letter:
Advertisement
“I was appalled, angry and sad. Yes, all the three came into play as one, when I saw (an) elderly woman urinating by the roadside at a spot about 30 metres from the Societe General Bank near the Ghana Lotteries … right opposite the Arts Centre.
“Initially I thought she was someone with a mental disorder. But she was not. I have never felt so sad for womanhood.
“My question, therefore, is to the AMA, where are the public washrooms?
“Why can’t the AMA focus on providing such basic amenities rather than exert so much resource into demolition of table-top stores, kiosks and homes (of course built with sweat and toil).
Advertisement
“AMA, please provide washroom for the people!
In that May, 2014 piece I stated:
“In some countries, provision of public washrooms is a priority, either free for users or for a token payment.
“Most important of all, the authorities take care to put up signage all over, indicating where the nearest washrooms are located. Here in Ghana, sadly, even in the few places where there are public conveniences, there are no signs to direct strangers in need.
“I strongly believe that people would not mind paying for decent washrooms. My suggestion is that even if the AMA has no funds for such a project, it can partner or invite private business concerns and offer them locations to build toilets, or to place portable toilets at strategic places in the city.”
Advertisement
In conclusion, I wrote: “Provision of public washrooms at convenient places in our capital city – with directional signs – is long overdue. So, Mr Vanderpuije, a challenge has been thrown to you! We eagerly await your response – preferably by immediate action.”
I’m still waiting … for the Mayor’s response.
But maybe what is needed is a concerted action by all three: the Ministry of Tourism, the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.
But which of them will lead an offensive to ensure that there are public toilets in the capital city, and at venues; toilets that are of appropriate design and of high standard?
Surely, Accra – and Ghana – deserve that!