Traveling in less developed countries causes some people concern over toilet facilities. In most of the tourist places you’re likely to visit, and in all of the hotels that are of any decent quality, you’ll find acceptable or very nice toilet facilities. The only places where you’re apt to find latrines would be in villages, where most tourists don’t spend a lot of time. Unless you do a home stay in an eco village, it’s not too likely you’ll have to use a latrine.
One thing to keep in mind: because Ghanaian plumbing and water pressure doesn’t compare to that of the more developed world, toilet paper dropped into the toilet is likely to clog up the works. You’ll usually see a small waste basket next to the toilet. That’s for paper disposal.
I was fully expecting to run into some very rustic latrines and to have to go out in the bush a few times in some of the less populated areas. However, I didn’t encounter any latrines in this visit, even in some places where I expected them. Also, because it’s so hot, you’ll sweat more and pee less. So don’t stress out over toilet facilities.
I did have to “visit the bush,” as they say, a couple of times when a mild case of traveler’s diarrhea overcame me suddenly. We were literally in the middle of nowhere, and there was no other option. It’s really no big deal. If it happens, remember that millions of people in the less developed world have no choice but to “go” al fresco every single day, and count your blessings. And always bring toilet paper with you, in case you have to visit the bush in a hurry.
Gayle Pescud wrote an excellent article about traveling in Ghana on public transportation with irritable bowel syndrome. For the average tourist traveling in Ghana, toilet facilities shouldn’t present any problems.
