The General Overseer of Action Chapel International and Chairman of the National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches (NACCC), Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has thrown his weight behind the government’s National Sanitation Day initiative, urging Ghanaians to take personal responsibility for the cleanliness of their environment.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Archbishop Duncan-Williams commended the Ministry for taking bold steps to address the country’s sanitation crisis. He emphasized that the issue of sanitation should not be seen as the sole responsibility of government, but as a shared duty for all citizens, churches, and communities.

“The first thing God did before creating man was to establish the Garden of Eden and place man in charge of it,” he stated. “In the same way, God has entrusted us with the earth to guard, protect, and preserve it. This is a responsibility we cannot ignore.”

He pledged the commitment of the NACCC to support the campaign and announced plans to mobilize churches and pastors across all 16 regions to champion sanitation awareness. “We will encourage our churches to incorporate the message of cleanliness into their Sunday sermons and community engagements,” he affirmed. “It is time we built a culture where environmental hygiene is a way of life.”

The Archbishop also called for a broader national awakening on the issue of sanitation, suggesting the inclusion of environmental stewardship in the school curriculum. He lamented the lack of civic responsibility among citizens, illustrated by daily acts of neglect and indifference to basic cleanliness.

“I believe this is a serious matter of education and consciousness. People pass by filth without taking action not because they don’t see it, but because they don’t feel responsible,” he said. “This mindset must change.”

Touching on Ghana’s development challenges, Archbishop Duncan-Williams expressed concern about the nation’s continued struggle with basic issues such as sanitation, despite decades of independence. He attributed the problem to a deeper issue of national character and commitment. “It is not just about corruption; it’s about a lack of love for country. You do not exploit what you love.”

He concluded with a strong message of support to the government: “We will not leave this burden to the state alone. We are prepared to partner, take initiative, and lead where necessary. The future of our children and grandchildren depends on the decisions we make today. Cleanliness is not just a habit; it is a foundation for national progress and longevity.”

Archbishop Duncan-Williams’ remarks underscore the growing consensus that a national transformation in sanitation must begin with individual responsibility, community action, and cross-sector collaboration.

In response, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed his appreciation to the Archbishop for his passionate support. He remarked, “We believe that true transformation begins from within communities, and the church is a powerful partner in shaping values and attitudes. If we can influence the mindset of people from the pulpit, we can drive lasting change across our nation.” The Minister emphasized the need for consistent action and encouraged faith-based institutions to take leadership in the collective national effort toward a cleaner Ghana.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The President of the Southern Ghana Union of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA), Pastor Thomas Techie Ocran, has assured the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs of the SDA Church’s unwavering support for the upcoming reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD). He made this known during a high-level engagement with the Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, who paid a courtesy call on him as part of the Ministry’s stakeholder consultations towards the successful revival of the nationwide cleanup campaign.

In his remarks, Pastor Ocran commended the Ministry’s commitment to strategic planning and emphasized that the success of the NSD initiative lies in deliberate and coordinated execution. “If the Ministry plans and says this is what we will be doing this week, places are allocated to people to do things, equipment is made available, and vehicles are deployed to assist, then we can be sure we will succeed, not just from the SDA point of view, but at a national level,” he said.

While affirming the SDA’s readiness to cooperate with government efforts, Pastor Ocran also clarified the Church’s doctrinal stance regarding work on Saturdays, which are observed as holy. He therefore proposed Sunday as the most appropriate day for the Church’s active participation in sanitation exercises. “We cannot work on Saturday, but we are willing and committed to working on Sunday. As long as you will work with us in that direction, we will work with you,” he stated.

Pastor Ocran further referenced past collaborative efforts with previous administrations, highlighting the Church’s consistent engagement in national development activities. He revealed that his directors had suggested May 1, a public holiday, as a symbolic opportunity to launch the initiative, which could then be followed by broader action on Sunday, May 4.

“We want to assure you that if this is clearly indicated in the planning, our members will understand, and all eyes will be on us to lead by example. We will do our best for the glory of God first and in support of national development,” he emphasized.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed his deep appreciation to the leadership of the SDA Church for their openness and commitment to nation-building. He reiterated the Ministry’s inclusive approach to stakeholder engagement and acknowledged the indispensable role of religious institutions in mobilizing communities for sustained national impact.

The reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day forms part of government’s renewed agenda to improve environmental cleanliness, public hygiene, and civic responsibility through community-driven action.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

As part of efforts to rekindle national consciousness on environmental cleanliness, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has paid a strategic courtesy call on the leadership of the Christian Council of Ghana to rally support for the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD).

The visit forms part of a broader national mobilization campaign aimed at reinvigorating the culture of cleanliness and civic responsibility across the country. The Minister emphasized that the sanitation drive is a flagship agenda of the government led by President John Dramani Mahama, and the reintroduction of National Sanitation Day (NSD) is critical to addressing long-standing sanitation challenges confronting the nation.

Hon. Ibrahim noted that religious leaders, particularly the clergy are key stakeholders in this process, given their moral influence, extensive community presence, and capacity to mobilize large segments of the population. He therefore called on the Christian Council to actively participate in the campaign and to help sustain the momentum of environmental consciousness through their platforms.

“The church remains a vital partner in national development,” the Minister said. “If we are to make meaningful progress in keeping our communities clean, we must involve people of influence, those who can shape values and attitudes. That is why we are here today.”

He explained that the reintroduction of National Sanitation Day is not just a one-off campaign but a critical element of the government's long-term development strategy to promote ethical governance, civic discipline, and responsible environmental stewardship.

The Chairman of the Christian Council, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hilliard Dogbe, welcomed the Minister’s visit and commended the government for recognizing the strategic role of faith-based organizations in national transformation. He assured the Minister of the Council’s full support, noting that sanitation is not only a civic duty but a moral and Christian obligation.

Rt. Rev. Dogbe further revealed that the Council has, over the past two years, been running nationwide engagements under the theme “Ethical Leadership”, incorporating discussions around environmental stewardship, civic ethics, and social accountability. He stressed the need for continuous government action beyond the symbolic clean-up days and called for structured public education, particularly among children to foster a new culture of cleanliness and waste segregation.

“Environmental care is part of our divine stewardship,” he said. “We will support this cause not just because it is a national campaign but because it aligns with our values as people of faith.”

He also disclosed that the Council will relay the call to its member churches through an official directive and ensure that the entire Christian community contributes meaningfully to the revival of National Sanitation Day.

The National Sanitation Day is scheduled to resume officially on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, and will subsequently be observed on the first Saturday of every month as part of a national movement to restore cleanliness and environmental responsibility in all communities.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)