There
has
been
a
massive
public
outcry
in
the
Ashanti
region
following
recent
increments
in
charges
associated
with
accessing
commercial
toilet
facilities.
With
many
households
and
slums,
largely
dependent
on
public
toilet
facilities,
managers
of
these
facilities
insist
that
they
have
resorted
to
the
increase
due
to
the
recent
hikes
in
various
items
in
the
country.
Despite
persistent
calls
for
various
households
to
have
toilet
facilities,
the
reality
is
that
many
Ghanaians
depend
on
public
options.
Apart
from
the
usual
challenges
like
long
queues
and
hygiene
concerns,
the
increased
fee
is
now
a
major
burden
for
regular
users.
The
operation
of
these
toilet
facilities
has
thus
become
a
lucrative
business
for
many,
especially
in
urban
areas
where
there
is
an
increase
in
population.
In
the
Ashanti
region,
specifically
within
the
Greater
Kumasi
Metropolitan
area,
places
such
as
Aboabo,
Oforikrom,
Ayigya
Zongo,
Dagomba
Line,
Ashanti
New
Town
(Ash
Town),
and
many
slum
areas
rely
heavily
on
commercial
toilet
facilities.
The
recent
increase
in
charges
by
commercial
toilet
operators
has
sparked
significant
public
outcry.
In
an
interview
with
Citi
News,
some
users
shared
their
predicament,
stating
the
impact
of
the
increment.
Akwasi
Acheampong,
said,
“It
used
to
be
1.50p,
but
now
it’s
2.00.
We
have
no
choice
but
to
pay
to
use
the
facility.
However,
our
businesses
are
not
generating
enough
revenue,
so
we
are
pleading
for
intervention.”
“Prices
of
things
are
too
high,
so
we
are
pleading
for
a
reduction
in
prices.
We
would
appreciate
it
if
the
managers
reverted
to
the
old
prices.
Now
you
cannot
even
afford
to
pay
a
toilet
fee
for
someone,”
Emmanuel
Agyei,
another
patron
said.
Osei
Thomas,
a
patron,
lamented,
“I
thought
it
was
still
1.00
until
today
when
I
was
told
it
is
now
2.00.
It
is
quite
disturbing,
but
we
have
no
option
but
to
pay.”
The
owners
of
these
facilities
said
they
have
been
compelled
to
increase
the
prices
because
the
facilities
have
become
expensive
to
manage
in
recent
times.
Chairman,
of
Ashanti
Regional
Sanitation
Awareness
Association
who
doubles
as
the
owner
of
commercial
toilet
facilities,
Owusu
Takyi
said,
“The
vehicle
that
was
dislodging
our
waste,
initially
they
were
taking
GHC800
but
they
have
increased
their
price
to
GHC1,200,
look
at
the
margin.
“If
we
fail
to
pay
that
fee,
we
will
be
forced
to
close
down
that
business.
Because
our
workers
are
demanding
for
increment,
the
cost
of
repairs
and
maintenance,
the
cost
of
electricity
has
increased.
It
all
boils
down
to
the
nature
of
the
economy,
everything
is
expensive.
We
can’t
run
a
business
and
be
making
losses,
that
is
why
we
decided
to
increase
prices
to
enable
us
to
stay
in
business.”
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