Advancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Education for Communities and Schools in Ghana
1
Monitoring and Evaluatuion, Hope For Future Generations, Accra, Ghana
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Issues: Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene remains a public health challenge in Ghana. Open defecation, poor hand hygiene, and limited menstrual hygiene knowledge contribute to preventable illnesses, especially among adolescents and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). In line with the SDGs including universal safe drinking water by 2025 and elimination of open defecation by 2023. Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) integrated WASH initiatives into community and school projects to improve knowledge, practices, and advocacy for better facilities. Description: In 2023, HFFG conducted community WASH campaigns in the Eastern Region (NTDs project) and Central Region (Malaria and School Health Education project), reaching over 1,000 community members, including adolescents and PWDs. Education covered hand and menstrual hygiene, proper waste disposal, and ending open defecation. School-based WASH programs across six regions promoted lasting hygiene practices post-COVID-19. Menstrual hygiene was also integrated into Reproductive Health Education (RHE) for adolescents under UNFPA’s Out-of-School (OOS) project in Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Northern regions. HFFG participated in regional and national advocacy meetings led by the Coalition of NGOs in WASH, lobbying for improved facilities and supporting the Presidential Pact on Water and Sanitation. In March 2023, HFFG was accredited to attend the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York, sponsored by Simavi (Netherlands), contributing to national and international advocacy for WASH-related SDGs. Lessons Learned: Community and school-based WASH interventions effectively improved knowledge and hygiene practices among adolescents and vulnerable groups. Integrating menstrual hygiene into adolescent health education reinforced holistic well-being. Engagement at national and international platforms strengthened advocacy, visibility, and policy support for WASH initiatives in Ghana. Next Steps: Scaling up community and school-based WASH education, reinforcing policy advocacy, and sustaining engagement with adolescents and PWDs will further enhance access to safe water, improve sanitation, and promote sustainable hygiene practices across Ghana.
Issues: Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene remains a public health challenge in Ghana. Open defecation, poor hand hygiene, and limited menstrual hygiene knowledge contribute to preventable illnesses, especially among adolescents and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). In line with the SDGs including universal safe drinking water by 2025 and elimination of open defecation by 2023. Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) integrated WASH initiatives into community and school projects to improve knowledge, practices, and advocacy for better facilities. Description: In 2023, HFFG conducted community WASH campaigns in the Eastern Region (NTDs project) and Central Region (Malaria and School Health Education project), reaching over 1,000 community members, including adolescents and PWDs. Education covered hand and menstrual hygiene, proper waste disposal, and ending open defecation. School-based WASH programs across six regions promoted lasting hygiene practices post-COVID-19. Menstrual hygiene was also integrated into Reproductive Health Education (RHE) for adolescents under UNFPA’s Out-of-School (OOS) project in Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Northern regions. HFFG participated in regional and national advocacy meetings led by the Coalition of NGOs in WASH, lobbying for improved facilities and supporting the Presidential Pact on Water and Sanitation. In March 2023, HFFG was accredited to attend the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York, sponsored by Simavi (Netherlands), contributing to national and international advocacy for WASH-related SDGs. Lessons Learned: Community and school-based WASH interventions effectively improved knowledge and hygiene practices among adolescents and vulnerable groups. Integrating menstrual hygiene into adolescent health education reinforced holistic well-being. Engagement at national and international platforms strengthened advocacy, visibility, and policy support for WASH initiatives in Ghana. Next Steps: Scaling up community and school-based WASH education, reinforcing policy advocacy, and sustaining engagement with adolescents and PWDs will further enhance access to safe water, improve sanitation, and promote sustainable hygiene practices across Ghana.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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