World Vision International has handed over two sanitation projects for construction at the Zini Refugee Camp and Zini Basic School in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region.

The first project comprises 22 Biofil twin toilet-and-bath facilities for refugees at the camp. Each facility consists of two toilet units and two bathrooms and is expected to serve about 20 people. An additional facility will be constructed for camp officials.

The second project is a 10-seater toilet facility for Zini Basic School, with five units each designated for girls and boys to improve sanitation and hygiene management in the school.

XY2020 Limited and FM Zangina Limited are undertaking the construction of the projects, which are expected to be completed within three months.

Speaking at a brief handing-over ceremony at Zini, Mr Fuseini Abudu Gbene, the Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE), commended World Vision International for its continuous support to the district.

He described the organisation as “a friend of the Assembly” because of its numerous development interventions in the area and assured the contractors of adequate security throughout the construction period.

Kuoro Abu Diaka Sukabe Nania V, the Paramount Chief of Zini, welcomed the intervention and pledged the community’s full support to ensure the successful completion of the projects.

Mr Freeman Moref of World Vision International urged the contractors to deliver quality work and complete the projects within the agreed timeframe.

He requested the contractors to submit a revised work programme after the project sites had been demarcated and appealed to the DCE to provide them with the necessary support throughout the construction period.

A Refugee Protection Officer also appealed to the contractors not to engage refugees in any activity without prior consultation with the appropriate authorities.

The refugees at the Zini Camp are among thousands of people who fled neighbouring Burkina Faso following terrorist attacks and insecurity in that country.

The Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Refugee Board, with support from humanitarian partners and other stakeholders, has provided the asylum seekers with shelter, water and other social services.

Despite those interventions, the refugees continue to require additional support to improve their living conditions.