The National Clergy Association of Ghana (NACAG) has pledged its full support for the upcoming National Sanitation Day (NSD) initiative, committing to leverage its expansive networks to advocate for environmental cleanliness and public hygiene across the country.

This endorsement was formalized during a high-level courtesy call by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, and his Deputy, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, to the leadership of NACAG. The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s broader stakeholder consultation efforts aimed at galvanising national consensus and multi-sectoral collaboration ahead of the initiative’s formal launch in May.

Addressing the clergy, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim highlighted the devastating impact of poor sanitation on Ghana’s socio-economic fabric, with particular emphasis on agriculture and the fishing industry. He lamented the increasing degradation of arable land and marine ecosystems, attributing the trend to unchecked pollution and indiscriminate plastic waste disposal.

“Today, our farmers struggle because our soil is contaminated, and our fishermen are pulling up bottles instead of fish,” the Minister decried. “We must change the narrative, and that change must begin with a shift in mindset, culture, and collective responsibility.”

Hon. Ibrahim urged the clergy to take a leading role in championing behavioral change, noting the Church’s unparalleled moral influence and its deep presence within communities. “Let the message of resurrection this Easter include a call to resurrect our national consciousness towards sanitation,” he appealed.

In response, the Executive Secretary of NACAG, Bishop Dr. Charles Abban, warmly welcomed the initiative, describing it as both a timely intervention and a spiritual imperative. He affirmed the Association’s commitment to the campaign, citing the Church’s duty to safeguard life, health, and the environment.

“We see this not only as a national duty but as a spiritual obligation. The Church will rise to the occasion,” Bishop Abban assured. “We will ensure that this message reaches every congregation. Our pastors and members will become sanitation ambassadors in their communities.”

The support of NACAG marks a significant milestone in the build-up to the NSD campaign, bringing with it the weight of the Church’s moral authority and far-reaching grassroots infrastructure. With religious institutions present in nearly every community, their advocacy for sanitation, behavioral change, and civic responsibility could catalyze a nationwide movement.

As preparations intensify toward the official launch of National Sanitation Day, the Ministry has reiterated that sustainable change in sanitation culture will require unity, shared ownership, and collective commitment. The backing of NACAG signals a strong and promising start in the journey to make Ghana cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally resilient.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

In a show of national responsibility and partnership, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), under the leadership of Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has thrown its full weight behind the government’s ambitious plans to reintroduce the National Sanitation Day (NSD) initiative this May. The move, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, is part of a renewed push to tackle Ghana’s sanitation crisis and foster a culture of environmental cleanliness across the nation.

Speaking during a courtesy call on Wednesday, April 16, by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Apostle Nyamekye praised the Ministry’s vision, commending the government’s willingness to mobilise religious institutions as partners in national development.

“You have come at the right time. This is not just a policy; it is a moral and civic call to action. Cleanliness must be seen as a shared national duty, and we at GPCC are ready to stand with you,” he affirmed.

Quoting from 1 Chronicles 28:20–21, Apostle Nyamekye likened the Minister’s assignment to the biblical King Solomon; young, but with the responsibility of building a nation. “Be strong and courageous and do the work… you have all of us behind you,” he encouraged, emphasizing that the scale of the task demanded strategic partnerships, skilled support, and intentional mobilization.

The GPCC President urged the Ministry to ensure that the planned launch of the NSD initiative is preceded by thorough public education and widespread sensitization. “Don’t rush to launch if the ground is not well prepared. The launch must have energy, visibility, and the presence of key influencers, chiefs, clergy, Members of Parliament, market leaders and those whose presence will lend weight to this national call,” he advised.

Apostle Nyamekye recalled the country’s earlier sanitation systems, noting how structures such as the Town Council once instilled order and fear of filth among citizens. He decried the erosion of such discipline and lamented the growing impact of poor sanitation on health, water resources, and air quality. “We are literally polluting our streams, our streets, and our lungs. It is time to act decisively,” he charged.

Pledging GPCC’s institutional support, he called on the Minister to draw in all national actors, from traditional authorities to faith-based groups, market associations, and transport unions. “Organising people in Ghana is not as difficult as it seems. The right messengers, when empowered, can move entire communities,” he said.

He further recommended that the Ministry engage with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to integrate sanitation into the school curriculum, especially at the basic and secondary levels. “We may have lost a generation to poor sanitation habits, but we can shape a new Ghanaian; one who values cleanliness as a personal and national virtue,” he concluded.

In response, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed deep appreciation for the GPCC’s endorsement and affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to broad-based collaboration. “This is not a government fight; it is Ghana’s fight. We are determined to rally every institution, secular and sacred towards this mission,” he stated.

As preparations toward the official launch of the reintroduced National Sanitation Day draws closer, the partnership with GPCC is already shaping up as a beacon of national unity and a bold call to reclaim Ghana’s environmental dignity.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

In a show of support for the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD), Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has underscored the urgent need for robust legal frameworks and effective enforcement mechanisms to address Ghana’s sanitation challenges. He pointed to the deteriorating state of landfill sites across Accra and the recurrent cholera outbreaks as indicators of systemic failure in waste management and public health governance.

The Ga Mantse made these remarks when the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday, April 16, as part of a broader engagement with leaders of the clergy and traditional institutions ahead of the official reintroduction of NSD in May.

He reaffirmed his readiness to partner with the Ministry to drive the sanitation agenda and highlighted grassroots initiatives like the Pre-Homowo Cleanup Exercise as proven models of community-led action. According to the Ga Mantse, such interventions demonstrate the power of local mobilisation in effecting lasting environmental change.

The upcoming National Sanitation Day initiative, spearheaded by Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, aims to instill a nationwide culture of cleanliness, curb sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, and promote environmental stewardship. In his engagements with faith-based and traditional leaders, the Minister emphasised that poor waste management practices are not only degrading the environment but are also contributing to major public health crises. A recent cholera outbreak, he noted, has affected 58 districts, leading to 49 deaths and over 580 reported cases.

The Minister announced that the initiative would feature a “Sanitation League,” which will assess and rank the performance of districts based on their cleanliness. Top-performing districts will be recognised and rewarded, while those underperforming may face sanctions. He also indicated that enforcement of sanitation by-laws would be prioritised at the local level through collaboration with Municipal and District Assemblies.

“We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results,” the Minister stressed. He called on all Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices and support the government’s renewed effort to create cleaner, healthier communities.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)