World Vision Ghana has called for the integration of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activities into development planning, public health systems, educational institutions, and local governance structures. This call was made at the 2026 Regional Hand Hygiene and WASH Leadership Summit held in Bolgatanga on October 29, as part of Global Handwashing Day celebrations. The organisation emphasised the need for clear accountability mechanisms to ensure sustainable results.
Interim National Director of World Vision Ghana, Joshua Baidoo, highlighted that awareness creation alone is insufficient to improve hygiene practices. He noted that communities, schools, and healthcare facilities often lack reliable access to safe water, soap, sanitation infrastructure, and functional handwashing facilities. Baidoo stressed that handwashing with soap is a simple and cost-effective public health intervention that can prevent diseases and reduce child mortality.
Despite its importance, millions of people across Africa, including households in Ghana, continue to lack basic handwashing facilities, reliable water services, and adequate sanitation infrastructure. Baidoo observed that many children cannot practise proper hand hygiene due to the absence of water, soap, facilities, and systems needed to sustain the practice. He urged stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and prioritise sustainable investments, stronger policy implementation, and practical interventions.
Baidoo identified three critical areas for action: strengthening leadership, policy implementation, and accountability; increasing sustainable financing and investment in hygiene; and promoting climate-resilient and innovative WASH solutions. He also called for stronger public investment, innovative financing arrangements, and private-sector participation to ensure the availability and maintenance of hygiene facilities, particularly as climate change puts pressure on water resources and infrastructure.
The summit also heard from Assistant Director at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, John Muniru, who read a keynote address on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga. Muniru urged Municipal and District Assemblies to prioritise WASH in their development plans and budgets. He also called on health and educational institutions to uphold appropriate hygiene standards and traditional authorities, religious leaders, and community organisations to promote behavioural change.
The region faces significant sanitation challenges, with an open defecation rate of 63.7 per cent as of 2025. Acting Upper East Regional Director of Environmental Health, Charles Yinbil, described the situation as a major public health concern. He identified low household toilet access and inadequate faecal sludge management services as key challenges. The withdrawal of donor support has contributed to a decline in household latrine construction, weakening the capacity of assemblies to sustain earlier gains in sanitation.
The summit brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, private-sector representatives, and other stakeholders to deliberate on improving hand hygiene and WASH services in the Upper East Region. A regional hand hygiene action communiqué was expected to be produced to guide commitments, accountability, and follow-up actions.
Key points
- World Vision Ghana calls for WASH integration into development planning and public systems.
- The region faces significant sanitation challenges, with 63.7 per cent open defecation rate as of 2025.
- Stakeholders urge prioritisation of sustainable investments, stronger policy implementation, and practical interventions.
