Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and partners in sanitation and hygiene, have emphasized the need for people to observe good hygienic practices, by washing their hands with soap to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Madam Theodora Adomako-Adjei, Extension Services Coordinator of CWSA stated this when she read a statement on behalf of CWSA and partners in hygiene and sanitation to commemorate this year’s Global Hand Washing Day in Tamale on Thursday.

The Global Hand Washing Day is celebrated annually on October 15, to raise awareness about the benefits of hand washing with soap.

This year’s event was on the theme: “Raise a Hand for Hygiene: Wash Your Hands with Soap.”

Some of the activities undertaken to commemorate this year’s event were a float through some principal streets of Tamale, hand washing with soap demonstration at the central business area of Tamale, some selected schools and health institutions in the metropolis.

Some of the partners included United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), United States Agency for International Development, Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor, School Health and Education Programme, Afram Plains Development Organization, and Netherlands Development Organization.

Madam Adomako-Adjei asked “Policy makers, heads of institutions, families and community leaders to ensure that not only is hand washing practised but hygiene behaviours and facilities are available in key areas such as healthcare facilities, communities, schools, markets, eating places, lorry parks, public washrooms amongst others.”

She said hand washing with soap was not only affordable and simple but also very effective at reducing the risk of illness and death from diarrheal and respiratory diseases adding “Hand washing with soap represents a cornerstone of public health – make hand washing your top priority.”

Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Minister of Roads and Highways said “It is now time for Ghanaians to put sanitation and hygiene in their proper perspective because sanitation is dignifying and good hygiene behaviour promotes health.”

Alhaji Fuseini urged all to create awareness on hand washing with soap at critical times, especially after visiting the toilet, and before handling food, to improve health outcomes.

A representative from the Field Office of UNICEF in Tamale said the country’s hygiene and sanitation indicators were worrying, and called on all to continually observe hygiene practices to promote good health.