Make Hand Washing Practices A Routine—Hon. Tina Mensah Advises Constituents

Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe Constituency and also Deputy Health Minister, Hon. Tina Naa Ayeley Mensah has advised constituents to make hand washing practices a routine as part of a preventive measure to avoid cholera, typhoid, pulmonary tuberculosis and malaria which are common diseases in Ghana.

The Law maker and Deputy Health Minister filed this advice on Sunday October 15, 2017 at an event organized by Hon. Patrick Baidoo, popularly known in public circles are blue boy; the Assemblyman for New Gbawe Electoral Area to mark this year's Global Hand Washing Day held under the theme, “our hand, our future”.

The event which saw the queen mother of Gbawe-Lafa, Naa Afia Tawiah, Mr. Anyang-Kusi, a former World Bank Consultant, Mrs. Angela Attoh, the Municipal SHEP Coordinator, the Mrs. Asasareku, the Municipal Environmental and Sanitation Coordinator, executives of the constituency, constituents, party members and school children, among a host of several other dignitaries was held at Wembly Park in New Gbawe Electoral Area; one of the 14 electoral areas of Weija-Gbawe Constituency and chaired by Mr. Yaw Amankwah, the owner of the most famous Grown and Glory School, a leading private basic school in the constituency.

The Global Hand washing Day is a globally event which commemorated on 15th October of every year to create awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. The Global Hand washing Day is designed to foster and support a global and local culture of hand washing with soap; shine a spotlight on the state of hand washing around the world and raise awareness about the benefits of hand washing with soap.

Similarly, it is a campaign to motivate and mobilize people around the World to improve their hand washing habits by washing their hands with soap at critical moments throughout each day.

At the event, the Honourable Member seized the opportunity to underscore the relevance of adopting proper hand washing practices. She said, washing hands with soap is extremely effective and the most inexpensive way to prevent Diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. “Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and also spread germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap under clean running water” she stated emphatically.

According to her, hand washing with soap is estimated to reduce incidents of diarrhoea by 30% and respiratory infections by 21% in children under the age of five. It is therefore important to turn hand washing into a habit. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet is an ingrained habit that can save more lives than many medical interventions.

She stated further that, Promoting the benefits and practice of hand washing with soap, as well as fostering access and improving hygiene facilities will help us work towards a future where that potential is realized.

The Assemblyman for the area, Hon. Patrick Baidoo, the principal organizer of the event in speech outlined a few of the projects initiated by Hon. Tina Naa Ayeley Mensah in just 10 months as Member of Parliament for the constituency.

According to him, the MP has made strides in the area of education, health, security and employment, among others. The good works of the Honourable Member was displayed at the event for all to see as part of accounting to the constituents the stewardship of the MP.

The event was interspersed with funfair activities to spice up the Global Hand washing Day observed in the constituency under the watch of the sitting Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe Constituency. Prize items such as books were given to school children that participated in the event.

The chairman of the event, Mr. Yaw Amankwah also advised school children and all that had gathered to make hand washing with soap part and parcel of them to avoid diseases. He stated that, when they adopt such practices and maintain regular practices, they will stay healthy.

The event was supported by Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project and World Vision International, among others.