Zoomlion Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility wing of the Jospong Group of Companies, has commemorated Global Handwashing Day with its partners, notably the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA).

The day was observed with pageantry at the Adjei Kojo Methodist School in the Ashiaman Municipality, Friday with pupils of different Junior and Senior High Schools taking turns with a sketch on the importance of handwashing to human survival.

The theme for this year’s programme, “Our Hands Our Future,” could not have come at a better time when cholera is still killing many Ghanaians.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Executive of Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Engineer Worlanyo Kwadwo Siabi, said the theme is a great reminder to everyone, especially children about the need to wash hands at all times in order to protect human lives, build a better future for individuals, communities and the world at large.

He charged all stakeholders to join in the celebration so as to create better awareness about the need to wash hands and demonstrate the value for clean hands.

Sanitation Clubs

As part of efforts to ensure personal hygiene as well as clean environment, the Zoomlion Foundation is running environmental sanitation clubs in schools.

A section of the schools were present at the Adjei Kojo Methodist School to showcase the knowledge they have acquired over the period.

In a solidarity message, the Programmes Officer at the Zoomlion Foundation, Thomas Narh Korley, underscored the need for collaboration between state agencies, private sector, NGOs and Education Institutions to spread awareness messages about the need to wash hands with Soap.

“When done this will expand access to handwashing equipment, clean water and soap, to encourage participation,” he said.

He said the Zoomlion Foundation, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service has established Sanitation Clubs in over 400 schools in Ghana as part of efforts to increase sanitation across the country.

The clubs are called Zoomkids in basic schools and Zoom Ambassadors in senior high schools. Some of the students were present with sketches, placards all calling for the need to wash hands with soap and to ensure higher sanitation.

Global Handwashing Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing, and encourage action to promote and sustain handwashing habits.

Handwashing with soap is essential to child survival, minimises gastrointestinal diseases and reduces government spending on health care.