Innovative solutions for sanitation and employment in Kumasi
In Kumasi, Ghana, many families once struggled without private toilets, relying on unsafe public facilities. Between 2022 and 2025, the city collaborated with local residents to establish a fund that supports households in building their own toilets. This initiative aimed to improve sanitation, create jobs, and transform community life.
Located in southern Ghana, Kumasi is the capital of the Ashanti Region . Home to about 1.2 million people, it faces acute sanitation challenges, particularly in Moshie Zongo, a dense low-income neighborhood of over 22,000 residents where 83% of households lack private toilets.
Located in southern Ghana, Kumasi is the capital of the Ashanti Region. Home to about 1.2 million people, it faces serious sanitation challenges, particularly in Moshie Zongo, a crowded low-income neighborhood with over 22,000 residents where 83% of households lack private toilets.
Kumasi faced major challenges related to sanitation development:
83% of the households lacked private toilets, leading to open defecation and health risks.
High costs of public toilets. Paying daily to use public toilets became too expensive for many families in Kumasi.
Unsafe conditions. Public toilets were seen as unsafe, especially by women and girls, making them feel fearful and uncomfortable when using these facilities.
Youth unemployment. Many young people faced limited job opportunities and lacked skills for sustainable employment.
The solution: to address these challenges, the city of Kumasi implemented an innovative, community-driven solution that combined financial inclusion, local training, and sustainable infrastructure.
A community fund provided interest-free loans to help families build safe and sustainable toilets in their homes.
Residents repay the loans over 12 months, and the funds are reinvested to support new beneficiaries — creating a self-sustaining cycle.
The project trained young artisans in eco-friendly toilet construction, created jobs, and boosted local capacity.
How does the sanitation loan cycle work?
The diagram shows both the progress made and the challenges encountered at each stage of the sanitation loan process.
1. Community and leaders. Engaging local leaders builds trust and awareness. Collective decision-making encourages participation.
Challenge: landlord decisions often delay commitments.
4. Loan repayment
Families repay loans gradually, supporting the revolving fund. The bank is modifying collection schedules and payment methods to boost recovery rates.
Challenge: payment depends on tenant-landlord relations and timing.
2. Loan subscription.
Households apply for interest-free sanitation loans. Screening and documentation follow standard bank procedures.
Challenge: women often experience signing delays because of approval requirements from male relatives.
3. Toilet construction
Approved households start building cubicles. Local youth and artisans are recruited and trained.
Challenge: coordination among multiple actors can delay progress.
Beneficiaries: by improving sanitation and creating jobs, the project empowered the community and brought lasting change to the territory.
1.663
Beneficiaries of private
household toilets at Nov 2024
84
Artisan employed
- 6 females
- 76 males
These results contributed to the following SDGs:
Also contributing to goals:
Results
By integrating home sanitation, youth training, and a revolving financing model, the project improves living conditions and boosts the local economy.
Total toilets and washrooms constructed
854
estimated future beneficiaries
of the new 43 cubicles
Total toilets and washrooms under construction
61.87%
was the increase in beneficiaries/constructions
since July 2024
61% loan repayment rate, 69% updated landlords that received the loan
2 schools
schools that have
subscribed to the loan
13 toilets
toilets to be constructed
for the schools
180
landlords currently involved
USD 1.3
In weekly savings in USD. Tenants will save at least USD 1.3 (GHS 21) a week with a household toilet compared to using a public toilet once a day at USD 0.18 (GHS 2) per use.
Minimum and maximum landlords’ monthly savings, based on the new price, depending on the number of toilets installed.
IMPACT
Beyond just numbers, the project is changing daily life in Kumasi by improving sanitation, strengthening community ties, and creating job opportunities for young people.
Improving sanitation
Improved access to household toilets has enhanced public health in Kumasi by lowering contamination, promoting better hygiene practices, and preventing waterborne diseases in at-risk neighborhoods.
Resolving waste collection disputes
The sanitation loans helped resolve conflicts between households and waste collectors, who had boycotted homes that disposed of human waste in garbage due to the lack of toilets.
Fair practices
A landlady implemented fair payment practices for a shared toilet, improving living conditions, increasing her property’s value, and encouraging others to follow her example.
Lessons learned
Insights that could inform future community initiatives.
1. Early financial planning ensures continuity
Establishing the revolving fund from the beginning is crucial to prevent delays and ensure smooth project progress.
2. Community engagement drives success
Involving local leaders and residents from the start fosters trust, a sense of ownership, and long-term commitment.
3. Flexibility strengthens impact
Adapting project goals to local realities, like inflation or youth involvement, keeps initiatives relevant and effective.
4. Culturally rooted conflict resolution matters
Integrating traditional mediation by elders and imams helped maintain harmony and trust within the community.
5. Inclusion of all stakeholders
Engaging leaders, residents, banks, and officials at every stage fostered trust, accountability, and shared ownership.
6. Communication strategies
Using local media, events, and direct visits fostered awareness, trust, and a more substantial commitment to loan repayment.
Want to learn more?
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Visual storytelling and data visualization by Datadot Estudio, co-designed with the SDG Local Action team