Ghana Politics 101: Political Power must come with control of Public Toilets!

About 10 years ago there was an email making the rounds that described the characteristics of people from different African countries. According to the email , "Ghanaians think they invented politics". Okay, so maybe we didn't actually invent politics but in recent time we have shown that we know a thing or two about how to do democracy! Anyway, I do think we have a number of valuable political lessons to share with Africa and the rest of the world so let me welcome you to the first installment of my online course: "Introduction to Ghanaian Politics 101"

Lecture 1: Political Power must come with control of Public Toilets!

Public Toilet in Accra
Source: www.janchipchase.com

After President J.E.A. Mills was sworn into office on 7 January 2009, one of the first things that happened was that hordes of his party supporters stormed public toilets all over the country to seize control of their operation. Likewise, after President J.A. Kufuor was sworn into office on 7 January 2001, one of the first things that happened was that hordes of his party supporters stormed public toilets all over the country to seize control of their operation. Many Ghanaians were shocked and some pontificated on how ludicrous it was to grab toilets. I beg to differ. I have come to realise that there is real wealth in every flush.

With the help of two associates, I present to you the Toilet Revenue Generating Model for Economic Empowerment:

• So lets say we are 4 men belonging to the ruling party in government. Following an election we have managed to seize control of a public toilet complex with 20 water closets (WCs) in the bustling Tema Station area right in Accra Central.

• Let's say everyday our toilet facility has an average of 2000 visits from people 1. living in the area, 2. transiting through Tema station and 3. visitors to Tema Station Market /Makola Market.

• Suppose we charge 20p (Ghana pesewas) per visit to our facility. This would mean that we should expect a total daily revenue of GHC 400.00.

• However, we must subtract the various daily operational costs associated with running the facility.

OPERATIONAL COSTS

• Water

Water Tanker in Accra
Source: http://www.ghana-pedia.org/

*Each flush will take between 1.6 gallons of water (for new toilet models) and 4 gallons (for older models). So we can strike an average of 2.8 gallons per flush
*Therefore, one visit will require 3 gallons of water (2.8 gallons to flush + 0.2 gallons to wash hands)
*2000 people per day will require a total of 6000 gallons to flush and wash their hands. *One water tanker carrying 3000 gallons currently costs around GHC70.00. So we are looking at a total daily water consumption cost of GHC 140.00.
*Subtract GHC 140.00 from our projected daily revenue for water

• Toilet Paper:

*One 2-ply toilet roll costs around 50p (maximum). If you have ever frequented a public toilet you will know that they are not generous with the amount of toilet paper they give you.
*If one roll has 100 sheets and each person gets 5 sheets, each roll could serve 20 people comfortably.
*Therefore 100 rolls would be required per day and we are now looking at a total daily toilet roll expenditure of GHC 50.00.

NB: There is also the free old newspaper option but we will not consider that for this model.

*Subtract GHC 50.00 from our projected daily revenue for toilet paper

• Toilet Cleaners:

*Lets say we employ 2 workers to maintain our toilets. Each day we pay each worker GHC 5.00
*Subtract GHC 10.00 from our projected daily revenue for salaries

• Toilet Cleaning supplies.

*Daily we spent about GHC3.00 on soap and all other cleaning supplies
*Subtract GHC 3.00 from our projected daily revenue for toilet cleaning supplies

• Total Operational costs to subtract per day = GHC 203.00

• Total projected daily profit = GHC 197.00

• Average total monthly revenue = GHC 197.00 X 30.5 days = GHC 6008.50

• Divide monthly revenue by 4 men. Thus, each person controlling the public toilet is looking at a cool GHC 1502.00 per month (approximately $1036.00 at the current exchange rate). This is tax-free money and more than most people in Ghana make per annum

• FAVORABLE FACTORS: Consider a popular rice seller operating in the station who does not wash her hands and infests her food with enteric bacteria causing an outbreak of diarrhoeal disease in the area. The outbreak could result in an average of 4000 visits to the toilet facility and thus increase revenue and increase the projected profit margin!
  

ABOVE: E-coli Bacteria
Source: NIAID sciencedaily.com

Just think about how this model is replicated all over the country. The take-home message is that toilet facility operation is a undeniable revenue earner for the members of ANY party in power. It can go a long way to appease (some) party grass-root members/cadres/foot soldiers. So next time you declare that it is completely ridiculous to seize toilets, think again.

HOMEWORK/ASSIGNMENT: Please discuss why electricity costs were not factored or considered in the Toilet Revenue Generating Model. This is despite the fact that the toilet facility is likely to be bathed in electricity light 24/7/365!