PUBLIC BATH AND TOILET BUSINESS IN GHANA

The public toilet and bath are lucrative business in Ghana although only few entrepreneurs invest in this venture. It’s mostly called the toilet and shower business by the people who patronize these services. The good thing about this business is that there are no bad days in relation to income since income is good all year round.

Aside the profitability aspect of this business any entrepreneur that invest in this sector helps the country to solve its sanitation problem since it helps avoid defecation. According to report by DW in 2018 on Africa, Ghana is one of the worst countries when it comes to access to basic sanitation such as toilet. It stated that about 5.7 million people are forced to relieve themselves in the open, according to the World Health Organization. In 2012 the world bank estimated that Ghana’s open defecation problem cost the country more than $79million a year. Therefore, public bath and shower business goes beyond the profit making, however for the business to thrive the following steps must be taken;

REGULATIONS
In Ghana the toilet and bath businesses are been regulated by the municipal assembly hence you need approval from the assembly to commence business.Environmental Protection Agency must give their approval for a bath and toilet business to operate.

LOCATION
For your business to attract lots of clients it must be sited in a community that doesn’t have access to these facilities. One of the areas suitable for this business is the marketplace where traders, customers, passengers and drivers can patronize whiles working or shopping. Secondly head potters and drivers’ mate who sleep in the market can patronize the bath or shower services. Densely populated areas especially the slums are also good locations for this business since most of the occupants do not have toilet facilities and in some cases bathrooms even though the government has enforced every household to own a toilet. This business could be done on either a half or full plot of land depending on the number of cubicles you desire; however, you must separate the male facilities from the female. If you want to own just a urinal
especially in the marketplace then a small space would be enough for two cubicles thus male and female and a sink for washing of hands.

MANAGEMENT

Its necessary to keep this facility clean always with water flowing all the time as such poly tanks are necessities in this business. Tiles and toilet seats should be changed occasionally since it attracts clients. Most entrepreneurs in this business do not collect total income from their workers ,instead they have an amount that is been paid to them daily .The workers keep the remaining income however in this case cleaning and minor maintenance is been catered for by these workers.

CROSS SELLING
For you to earn additional income you could also sell soaps, pomade, towels, sponge and sanitary pad which most of the patrons may need.

CONCLUSION
The bath and toilet business is very lucrative however if the location is not conducive to attract clients your income would be affected .Note that siting this business within a slum with squatters or encroaches is not appropriate since your income would reduce after a demolition exercise. Ensure to keep the place tidy to avoid the spread of diseases. A good bath and shower business help the nation fights its sanitation problem.