The Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in collaboration with the relevant agencies in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) value-chain today Friday (October 15, 2021) observed the 2021 Global Hand Washing Day in the northern regional capital, Tamale.
The United Nations (UN) dedicated 15th October of every year to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent the spread disease causing pathogens and virus from person to person, either through direct contact or indirectly.
The Northern Regional Director of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Mr Gilbert Amoah Ayamgah in his address said the aim of this annual celebration is to raise awareness about the benefits of hand washing with soap and inculcate same as a global and local culture into people, especially children, mothers and care givers.
“We aim at making hand washing with soap part of our culture, performed voluntarily at critical times. It should not just be an abstract good idea promoted by some people… It should not be something performed reluctantly or done just because others may be watching us”
Mr. Ayamgah emphasized that, “It should be done with the knowledge that washing of hand with soap keeps us and those around us healthy.”
The CWSA Northern Regional Director indicated the theme for this year’s celebration: “Our Future Is At Hand – Let’s Move Forward Together” require a collective action to accelerate efforts towards achieving universal hand hygiene.
He added there is the need to continuously advocate for hand washing now and for a healthy future.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, for his part noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has proven the effectiveness of hand washing with soap in curbing the spread of diseases.
He observed hand washing with soap removes germs from hands, infections and diarrhea disease and more importantly Covid-19.
He reiterated that hand washing with soap protects our own health and also encourages us to move forward together with others as well as those of our communities and the world at large.
Thinking of the future, the Minister indicated we strive for continued health, wellbeing and productivity for our families and our communities.
He added the Covid-19 crisis is still escalating and therefore hand washing with soap must be a priority now and in the future.
“Research has shown that hand washing with soap can significantly reduce the risk of diarrhea from 30 to 50 percent and that of respiratory tract infections from 21 to 45 percent” the Northern Regional Minister explained further.
Meanwhile, the global hand washing day is in fulfillment of goal 3 of the United Nations sustainable development goals adopted by member states. The specific goal is to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages by 2030.
