The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), has called on Ghana’s private sector, faith-based organisations, traditional authorities, and citizens to take leadership in sustaining hygiene practices beyond annual campaigns. Speaking at the 2025 Global Handwashing Day celebration in Accra, the Minister emphasised that lasting behavioural change in hygiene requires collective ownership, investment, and leadership at all levels of society.
He stressed that the sustainability of hygiene promotion cannot rely solely on donor funding but must be locally driven through innovative financing and community commitment. The Minister proposed that part of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) be ring-fenced to support hygiene-related interventions and called on the private sector to prioritise hygiene within their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim also urged faith leaders, traditional rulers, and local champions — from pastors and imams to queen mothers, teachers, and market women — to become active advocates of hygiene in their communities. He noted that true heroism lies in the quiet, consistent actions of ordinary Ghanaians who model clean habits and influence others by example.
“Heroism is not only in words but in consistent action — from the nurse who insists on hygiene to the market woman who provides soap at her stall,” the Minister said, underscoring that every act of cleanliness strengthens Ghana’s collective defence against disease and environmental threats.
The commemoration also featured the symbolic National Handwashing Hero Pledge, uniting participants under a shared commitment to make handwashing an everyday lifestyle. Media partners were encouraged to continue highlighting hygiene stories throughout the year to sustain national momentum towards behavioural change.
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann
MLGCRA: Public Relations Unit