Global Communities Ghana ,an NGO has joined the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s Global Hand Washing Day in Sawla on Tuesday 15 October 2024.
The theme for this year’s Global Hand Washing Day Celebration is “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important”.
The program is being funded by USAID.
Mr. James Lomotey, the Social and Behavior Change Communication Specialist (SBCC Specialist), delivering a keynote address noted that this year’s theme, “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?” prompts us to reflect on the ongoing significance of proper hand hygiene in our everyday lives.
He added that clean hands remain a fundamental barrier to the spread of disease and play a crucial role in safeguarding our health, especially in vulnerable communities like ours.
Mr. James Lomotey mentioned that in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, they have witnessed tremendous progress due to the shared commitment of local leaders, health workers, and communities.
“So today, we come together not only to celebrate Global Handwashing Day but also to acknowledge the strides made through our partnership”.
Under the USAID-funded Enhancing WASH Activity, Global Communities Ghana has worked tirelessly alongside the people of the Sawla district to implement interventions that improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
We have constructed and rehabilitated boreholes, ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water.
In addition, we have carried out Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) campaigns to promote proper hygiene practices, with a strong focus on handwashing in schools, homes, and healthcare facilities.
So While we celebrate these achievements, the work continues and as this year’s theme reminds us, the need for clean hands remains as critical as ever.
So proper handwashing is essential to preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections, and creating healthier, safer communities for future generations.
Speaking at the event, the DCE for the area mentioned that, in Ghana we have made a significant progress with a 30% increase in hand washing practices over the past decades and so there is still much work to be done.
Again thousand of children die each year from preventable diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia which can be reduced by up to 50% through proper hand washing.
Hon. Dumakawe noted that they would like to commend Global Communities with their support to the District in promoting hand washing education in the schools, improving water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and supporting Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and other hand washing initiatives.
“I will emphasis that hand washing education should take a center role in our schools as a district to empower students with knowledge” He said.
The DCE added that, they will also work around to facilitate the accessibility of hand washing facilities in the schools and also task the district environmental health unit to intensify their Community engagement with the local authorities, parents and Community members to promote hand washing practices.
source: yagbonradioonline/Fataw Diwura
