‘One David, Two Goliaths’: Microcredit as a tool for sustainable ecological sanitation and smallholder agriculture in Ghana

Abstract

This paper examines microcredit as a tool for ecological sanitation (EcoSan) and smallholder agriculture in Ghana. Employing a rapid review approach, and its associated review of existing literature, the paper argues that microcredit for sanitation has been proven to be an effective way (“David”) of dealing with sanitation and agriculture challenges (two “Goliaths”), when directed to the provision of ecological sanitation (compost toilets). Such approach has multiple benefits such as improved sanitation, clean environment, improved crop yield, food security, good health and poverty alleviation. Thus, ecological sanitation is both an economically and environmentally sustainable sanitation option since it has the added benefits of paying for itself through the fertilizer generated as its by-product, thereby improving food security and alleviating poverty as well as protecting the environment in the long run. The paper therefore implores microcredit institutions to engage in diversified lending approach, which seeks to target smallholder agricultural development through ecological sanitation provision. Though attitudes and perceptions have been identified as a major challenge for the acceptance of EcoSan toilets, it is argued that beliefs can be altered or replaced through better community engagement and open discussions about the benefits of EcoSan toilets as well as the relevance of using microcredit as a tool to motivate this change process.