The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, through the ICOWASH2.0 Project has commemorated the Global Handwashing Day 2021 in a colourful style.
October 15 is Global Handwashing Day (GHD), a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives as well as to trigger lasting change from the policy-level to community-driven action.
CRS Ghana, through the ICOWASH2.0 project, together with the various units in Mamprugu Moaduri District, Ghana Education Service and Ghana Heath Service has celebrated the Global Handwashing Day 2021 in Yagaba on the theme ‘Our Future is at Hand – Let’s Move Forward Together’.
The event which was chaired by the District Coordinating Director Mr. Seidu A. Aziz saw many prominent indigenes participating.
In his address, the DCD reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment towards ICOWASH2.0 Project and called for collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.
He was grateful to CRS for the continuous support and keeping faith to their promise of ensuring effective collaboration between the Assembly and the Project Team.
“As the DCD, I want to speak the mind of the DCE that whatever role required of us to play for the sustainability of ICOWASH2.0 Project, we shall commit ourselves to that”
The District Director of Education Mr. Abange Elias Azure, in his address said, eventhough he is new in the district and this is his first time of witnessing such a great occasion, he is very much impressed with the works of CRS in the district.
“So far, CRS has proven to be one of the best and committed organisations interested in human and academic development.
As a new Director, I have already participated in a lot of capacity trainings of CRS and I have no doubts, together we shall succeed”.
He encouraged his staff and teachers to support in their various roles to enable all schools attained WASH Friendly status by the end of the project year.
The Senior Project Officer Mr. Charles Obeng Appiah who doubled as the representative of the Senior Management Team, reaasured the participants of CRS’s commitment in ensuring positive impacts are made to all beneficiary Districts.
He also called for supports from all partners and the assembly towards the project.
In his remarks he stated that “CRS through the I-SHINE and ICOWASH1.0 Projects has invested over $12m in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in the last 7 years in West Mamprusi and Talensi Districts. Additional $5m is been invested in the next 2 years in Mamprugu Moaduri, West Mamprusi and Talensi Districts”
The Project Officer – Peter Worlasi Adanu, was optimistic the ICOWASH2.0 PROJECT will be successfully implemented whilst recounting the supports he has received from the District Partners so far.
“The ICOWASH2.0 is a 3 year project been implemented in 3 Districts. So far, 27 schools are benefiting from Year 1 implementation, additional 30 schools have been proposed to kick-start with Year 2 implementation.
“I am very confident that we shall achieve the needed results as we effectively collaborate with project stakeholders and beneficiaries,” he stated.
The event saw several dignitaries including the District Director of Education, the GHS Partners, Circuit Supervisors from all circuits, District. SHEP Corrdinator, Girl Child Coordinator, the District Cultural Officer, other frontline workers from GES, Traditional and religious leaders, Chiefs and elders, over 15 participating schools and their teachers, and the community members.
Activities performed for the day includes cultural displays, drama, and poetry recitals.
The event was climaxed with Handwashing Innovation Challenge by 7 schools. Kunkwa RC JHS from the Kunklwa circuit won the overall best innovation followed by Sakpaaba DA Basic School from Yagaba Circuit and Tantala Primary from Tantala Circuit been the 2nd runner up.
Awards were presented to all deserving winners and participating schools.