Mr Gariba was speaking at a meeting with the chief, sub-chiefs and opinion leaders of Kanjarga, a farming community in the Builsa South District under the UNICEF-GOG-CSO Wash programme.

It was held to sensitize community members on the need to actively implement and own the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme which is aimed at eradicating open defecation in the community

Mr Gariba said a healthy lifestyle devoid of diseases such as cholera depended to a large extent on the attitude of the people towards cleanliness and observance of personal hygiene.

He said this should begin form individual homes and hence the need for individual as well as collective efforts towards promoting the health standards of the people.

Mr Gariba said the Assembly is ready to work closely with the chief, sub-chiefs, opinion leaders and entire community members in the fight against open defecation and appealed to the chiefs and people of the Kanjarga traditional area to complement the assembly’s efforts in that regard.

Nab Akanfila Akajeanya, the chief of Kanjarga, expressed appreciation to the DCE and his entourage for the visit and affirmed his support to ensure the attainment of the noble goal of eradicating open defecation in the Kanjarga traditional area.