ACCRA: Ghanaians have been urged to prioritize handwashing not only on Global Handwashing Day but throughout the year to enhance public health and personal well-being. Madam Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, emphasized the importance of making handwashing a regular practice to prevent diseases and promote productivity. According to Ghana News Agency, during the Global Handwashing Day event at La-Bawaleshie Presbyterian Basic School in Accra, Madam Alhassan highlighted the critical role of hand hygiene in combating health issues, including the recent cholera outbreaks in the Greater Accra Region. She stated that regular handwashing with soap could reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases by 30% and respiratory infections by up to 20%, underscoring its significant impact on public health. The event, held under the theme "Why Are Clean Hands Still Important," focused on the collective responsibility to enhance health security and well-being through improved hygiene practices. The Minister pointed out that while there was a notable increase in handwashing facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a decline in their use and maintenance, which poses a risk to health, especially in public places like schools and markets. Madam Alhassan also mentioned the broader benefits of handwashing on education and nutrition, particularly for children. According to a World Health Organization report, proper hand hygiene can reduce school absenteeism caused by illnesses like diarrhea and influenza by up to 50%. Furthermore, good hygiene practices help in the proper absorption of nutrients in children under five, thereby preventing stunted growth and other developmental issues. The Minister called for renewed efforts to sustain handwashing behaviors and highlighted the challenges in maintaining these practices despite increased awareness. She cited a UNICEF and WHO 2021 report stating that globally, 2.3 billion people lack access to basic handwashing facilities at home, with 670 million having no facilities at all. At the event, Mr. Aloysius Adjetey, Chief Executive of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), reiterated the agency's commitment to working with stakeholders in the WASH sector to normalize and sustain handwashing practices across Ghana. The day also featured contributions from Mrs. Naa Shormey Nortey, Headmistress of La-Bawaleshie Presbyterian Basic School, who encouraged parents to adopt handwashing to safeguard their families' health. Madam Alhassan concluded the event by distributing Veronica Buckets and other hygiene-related items to schools and traditional councils in her constituency.