The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country will now be assessed based on the availability and functionality of handwashing facilities within their jurisdictions.
He made the announcement during the commemoration of the 2025 Global Handwashing Day, held at the Ministry’s conference room in Accra, under the global theme “Be a Handwashing Hero.”
According to the Minister, the directive forms part of efforts to strengthen accountability and promote hygiene at the local level.
“Assemblies will now be evaluated on the functionality of handwashing facilities, integration of hygiene education, and evidence of behaviour-change campaigns,” Ibrahim said.
He emphasised that handwashing is not only a public health intervention but also a development investment and a moral obligation.
“Every clean hand is a symbol of care, every wash a shield against disease. Together, we can make Ghana a nation where clean hands are a shared identity and a patriotic duty,” he added.
Ibrahim urged local authorities, faith-based organisations, schools, and the media to intensify hygiene promotion and ensure that handwashing becomes a consistent national practice rather than a one-day observance.
The event brought together key WASH development partners including UNICEF, WHO, WaterAid, World Vision Ghana, IRC, Plan Ghana, and the World Bank, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Health, Education, and Works and Housing.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting district assemblies with policies and partnerships that promote hygiene, adding that sustainable financing and community participation are crucial for lasting change.
“Handwashing should not depend solely on donor support. It must be embedded in our national and local financing architecture,” he stressed.
The Global Handwashing Day celebration served as a reminder of the critical role clean hands play in preventing disease and promoting public health, especially in schools, markets, and workplaces across Ghana.
