In a show of national responsibility and partnership, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), under the leadership of Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has thrown its full weight behind the government’s ambitious plans to reintroduce the National Sanitation Day (NSD) initiative this May. The move, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, is part of a renewed push to tackle Ghana’s sanitation crisis and foster a culture of environmental cleanliness across the nation.

Speaking during a courtesy call on Wednesday, April 16, by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Apostle Nyamekye praised the Ministry’s vision, commending the government’s willingness to mobilise religious institutions as partners in national development.

“You have come at the right time. This is not just a policy; it is a moral and civic call to action. Cleanliness must be seen as a shared national duty, and we at GPCC are ready to stand with you,” he affirmed.

Quoting from 1 Chronicles 28:20–21, Apostle Nyamekye likened the Minister’s assignment to the biblical King Solomon; young, but with the responsibility of building a nation. “Be strong and courageous and do the work… you have all of us behind you,” he encouraged, emphasizing that the scale of the task demanded strategic partnerships, skilled support, and intentional mobilization.

The GPCC President urged the Ministry to ensure that the planned launch of the NSD initiative is preceded by thorough public education and widespread sensitization. “Don’t rush to launch if the ground is not well prepared. The launch must have energy, visibility, and the presence of key influencers, chiefs, clergy, Members of Parliament, market leaders and those whose presence will lend weight to this national call,” he advised.

Apostle Nyamekye recalled the country’s earlier sanitation systems, noting how structures such as the Town Council once instilled order and fear of filth among citizens. He decried the erosion of such discipline and lamented the growing impact of poor sanitation on health, water resources, and air quality. “We are literally polluting our streams, our streets, and our lungs. It is time to act decisively,” he charged.

Pledging GPCC’s institutional support, he called on the Minister to draw in all national actors, from traditional authorities to faith-based groups, market associations, and transport unions. “Organising people in Ghana is not as difficult as it seems. The right messengers, when empowered, can move entire communities,” he said.

He further recommended that the Ministry engage with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to integrate sanitation into the school curriculum, especially at the basic and secondary levels. “We may have lost a generation to poor sanitation habits, but we can shape a new Ghanaian; one who values cleanliness as a personal and national virtue,” he concluded.

In response, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed deep appreciation for the GPCC’s endorsement and affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to broad-based collaboration. “This is not a government fight; it is Ghana’s fight. We are determined to rally every institution, secular and sacred towards this mission,” he stated.

As preparations toward the official launch of the reintroduced National Sanitation Day draws closer, the partnership with GPCC is already shaping up as a beacon of national unity and a bold call to reclaim Ghana’s environmental dignity.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

In a show of support for the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD), Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has underscored the urgent need for robust legal frameworks and effective enforcement mechanisms to address Ghana’s sanitation challenges. He pointed to the deteriorating state of landfill sites across Accra and the recurrent cholera outbreaks as indicators of systemic failure in waste management and public health governance.

The Ga Mantse made these remarks when the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday, April 16, as part of a broader engagement with leaders of the clergy and traditional institutions ahead of the official reintroduction of NSD in May.

He reaffirmed his readiness to partner with the Ministry to drive the sanitation agenda and highlighted grassroots initiatives like the Pre-Homowo Cleanup Exercise as proven models of community-led action. According to the Ga Mantse, such interventions demonstrate the power of local mobilisation in effecting lasting environmental change.

The upcoming National Sanitation Day initiative, spearheaded by Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, aims to instill a nationwide culture of cleanliness, curb sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, and promote environmental stewardship. In his engagements with faith-based and traditional leaders, the Minister emphasised that poor waste management practices are not only degrading the environment but are also contributing to major public health crises. A recent cholera outbreak, he noted, has affected 58 districts, leading to 49 deaths and over 580 reported cases.

The Minister announced that the initiative would feature a “Sanitation League,” which will assess and rank the performance of districts based on their cleanliness. Top-performing districts will be recognised and rewarded, while those underperforming may face sanctions. He also indicated that enforcement of sanitation by-laws would be prioritised at the local level through collaboration with Municipal and District Assemblies.

“We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results,” the Minister stressed. He called on all Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices and support the government’s renewed effort to create cleaner, healthier communities.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The General Overseer of Action Chapel International and Chairman of the National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches (NACCC), Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has thrown his weight behind the government’s National Sanitation Day initiative, urging Ghanaians to take personal responsibility for the cleanliness of their environment.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Archbishop Duncan-Williams commended the Ministry for taking bold steps to address the country’s sanitation crisis. He emphasized that the issue of sanitation should not be seen as the sole responsibility of government, but as a shared duty for all citizens, churches, and communities.

“The first thing God did before creating man was to establish the Garden of Eden and place man in charge of it,” he stated. “In the same way, God has entrusted us with the earth to guard, protect, and preserve it. This is a responsibility we cannot ignore.”

He pledged the commitment of the NACCC to support the campaign and announced plans to mobilize churches and pastors across all 16 regions to champion sanitation awareness. “We will encourage our churches to incorporate the message of cleanliness into their Sunday sermons and community engagements,” he affirmed. “It is time we built a culture where environmental hygiene is a way of life.”

The Archbishop also called for a broader national awakening on the issue of sanitation, suggesting the inclusion of environmental stewardship in the school curriculum. He lamented the lack of civic responsibility among citizens, illustrated by daily acts of neglect and indifference to basic cleanliness.

“I believe this is a serious matter of education and consciousness. People pass by filth without taking action not because they don’t see it, but because they don’t feel responsible,” he said. “This mindset must change.”

Touching on Ghana’s development challenges, Archbishop Duncan-Williams expressed concern about the nation’s continued struggle with basic issues such as sanitation, despite decades of independence. He attributed the problem to a deeper issue of national character and commitment. “It is not just about corruption; it’s about a lack of love for country. You do not exploit what you love.”

He concluded with a strong message of support to the government: “We will not leave this burden to the state alone. We are prepared to partner, take initiative, and lead where necessary. The future of our children and grandchildren depends on the decisions we make today. Cleanliness is not just a habit; it is a foundation for national progress and longevity.”

Archbishop Duncan-Williams’ remarks underscore the growing consensus that a national transformation in sanitation must begin with individual responsibility, community action, and cross-sector collaboration.

In response, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed his appreciation to the Archbishop for his passionate support. He remarked, “We believe that true transformation begins from within communities, and the church is a powerful partner in shaping values and attitudes. If we can influence the mindset of people from the pulpit, we can drive lasting change across our nation.” The Minister emphasized the need for consistent action and encouraged faith-based institutions to take leadership in the collective national effort toward a cleaner Ghana.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)