Accra: The Hunger Project-Ghana (THP-Ghana) has marked Global Handwashing Day 2025 by distributing 60 handwashing stations and dustbins to schools in the Eastern and Ashanti regions to promote hygiene and disease prevention among students.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative, themed 'Be a Handwashing Hero,' was carried out at the Ankoma and Kyempo Epicentres, where students participated in handwashing demonstrations and hygiene education. Mr. Solomon Amoakwa, Senior Project Officer at THP-Ghana, explained that proper handwashing helps prevent the spread of germs, including bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory and diarrhoeal infections. He emphasized that germs can spread from person to person or from surfaces to people when one touches their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. He noted that handwashing with soap under running water is one of the most effective and affordable methods to prevent diseases and save lives. This effort is part of the HOPE-MCH project to improve hygiene practices in schools and communities.
Thirty handwashing stations were distributed to nine schools at the Ankoma Epicenter in the Kwahu East Municipality. Beneficiary schools included Nteso Anglican Primary and Junior High School (JHS), Nteso D/A Basic School, and Abisu Number One Basic School. At the Kyempo Epicenter in the Asante Akim South Municipality, another 30 handwashing stations and dustbins were provided to 10 Basic Schools, including Kyempo Faith JHS, Kyempo Presby Basic School, and Subinso M/A JHS, among others.
Mr. Amoakwa mentioned that the distribution of the handwashing stations and dustbins was made possible through the Holistic Opportunities for Positive Engagement in Maternal and Child Health (HOPE-MCH) project. The project aims to improve hygiene practices among children and community members, especially students.
Mr. Ebenezer Addi Akuffo, School Health Education Programme (SHEP) Coordinator for the Kwahu East District, urged students to maintain regular handwashing habits, drawing on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. He encouraged students to maintain the culture of frequent handwashing with soap under running water, as germs are pervasive. Public Health Nurse Ransford Baah Mensah led a demonstration of proper handwashing techniques.
Global Handwashing Day is observed annually on October 15 to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in preventing illness.