By: Jones Anlimah
The Akatsi South Municipality in the Volta Region has played host to this year’s national commemoration of Global Handwashing Day with a call to emphasize the significance of proper hand hygiene in safeguarding public health.
Speaking at the commemorative event, the Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Letsa, called for collective effort to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing and make clean hands accessible to all.
The theme for this year’s Global Handwashing Day is “Clean Hands Are Within Reach”.
The annual observance, which takes place on October 15th, aims to highlight the fundamental role of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of diseases and improving overall well-being.
With the COVID-19 pandemic underscoring the critical need for clean hands, this year’s theme “Clean Hands Are Within Reach” is expected to resonate with Ghanaians as far as the Covid-19 and clean hands are concerned.
Events and initiatives were organized to mark the occasion. Schools, communities, and public institutions conducted handwashing demonstrations and awareness campaigns to mark to the day. The activities encouraged individuals of all ages to adopt good handwashing habits as a simple yet powerful measures to protect themselves and others from illness.
The national commemorative event which was held at Akatsi in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, featured the introduction of the ‘SATO Tap’ an innovative way to undertake handwashing on the go.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Engineer Dr. Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi said the provision of and access to water in handwashing practices is key. To this end, he assured that government was committed to ensuring that communities in the Ghana and for that matter in the Volta region with challenges to access to water is addressed.
“When we are done with the improved water systems at Adidome, we will transmit water to Akatsi and also carry to Ho. I want to announce that Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) has done a lot, as at yesterday we have been able to support communities including Battor, Mepe and others that have been flooded as a result of the VRA spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams. We have sent some relief items especially water to support the victims” he said.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, said for people to be able to practice hand hygiene, it was crucial that they are provided hand hygiene facilities that are convenient to locate and use.
“Access to basic hand washing facilities must focus not only on the community but should also include schools, work places, healthcare institutions and other public places. People are more likely to wash their hands if they have soap and water present near the hand washing facility. All hand washing facilities provided at public places must be maintained at all times.” the regional minister said.
“I want to appeal to everyone in the Volta Region and the country at large to make handwashing with soap a priority in their daily activities and to provide a better future for the present and subsequent generations” Dr. Letsa added.
