Sanitation
Solutions (SanSol) is
a not-for-profit organisation, registered as an NGO in Ghana. It was formed in
October 2011 by an international team of eight volunteers, all of whom share a
common commitment to help improve health and sanitation in the developing
world. SanSol is affiliated to the Millennium Promise Alliance in Ghana.
Inappropriate sanitation and poor hygiene
practices at the household level cause severe environmental pollution and pose
a substantial health risk. It is estimated that in Ghana only 13% of the
population have access to improved household sanitation facilities that meet
WHO standards. This is highly correlated to the premature death from
diarrhoea each year of
approximately 19,000 Ghanaians, including 5,100 children under 5. Annual health care costs from inadequate sanitation in the
country is estimated at 420 million GHC (223 million US$) (Worldbank/WSP). Additionally, uncontrolled sanitary waste disposal represents
a significant soil nutrient loss.
Recycling of these nutrients could stabilise
soil fertility; reduce reliance on imported fertilizers and strengthen the
security of the nation's food supply. In 2012, the Ghanaian government spent over 120 million GHC (63 million US$) to import mineral fertilizers to improve the country's soil nutrient levels. The production of locally produced
organic fertiliser from sanitary wastes could reduce the need for imports, create jobs and provide additional sources of income. Considerable benefits can
be realised by the combination of improved sanitation and nutrient cycling,
The successful introduction of these concepts remains low however. Strategies for
confinement, treatment and composting of faecal matter and other biological
waste to supply plant nutrients have been developed, but their integration into
a system that works locally without external backup is still missing. There is a huge need to develop well adapted business strategies to support
sanitation and compost systems and translate their advantages into
direct economic benefits. SanSol will provide clear guidelines on how to set up
and maintain sanitation systems while at the same time work with the
communities to create viable and profitable business opportunities which would
help to cover the costs for these solutions. Ultimately this will enable local
communities and partners to realise both the health and environmental benefits
through the implementation of sustainable sanitation solutions.