The Central Regional Minister, Hon. Ekow Okyere Eduamoah, has appealed to pastors, church leaders and students across the Central Region to take an active role in promoting proper sanitation practices and helping to transform public attitudes toward environmental cleanliness.
According to the Minister, poor sanitation and indiscriminate disposal of waste remain major causes of the recurring floods that continue to affect many communities across Ghana, especially during the rainy season.
Hon. Eduamoah made the call while addressing participants at the National Prayer and Thanksgiving Day celebration held in Cape Coast, where he stressed the need for a collective national effort to tackle sanitation challenges and protect the environment.
Speaking to religious leaders at the event, the Minister urged pastors to use their pulpits to educate church members on the importance of cleanliness and responsible environmental behaviour.
“Tell your church members to stay away from filth and keep their surroundings clean,” he charged, emphasizing that churches have a significant influence on societal attitudes and behaviour.
He noted that sanitation should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of government institutions or local authorities, but rather as a shared responsibility that requires the commitment and active participation of all citizens.
The Regional Minister observed that blocked drains, indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters and water bodies, as well as poor waste management practices, continue to worsen flooding situations in many parts of the country.
He warned that the situation often results in the destruction of homes, properties and livelihoods, while also posing serious health risks to residents.
Hon. Eduamoah further called on students from various Senior High Schools who attended the programme to become ambassadors of cleanliness in their schools and communities.
He encouraged the students to avoid littering, embrace proper waste disposal practices and influence their peers to adopt responsible sanitation habits.
According to him, instilling discipline and environmental consciousness in the younger generation is essential for building a cleaner and healthier society.
The Minister stressed that developing good sanitation habits at an early stage would help create a generation that values discipline, patriotism and national responsibility.
He also urged the general public to use the National Prayer and Thanksgiving Day celebration as a moment of reflection and renewal, encouraging citizens to adopt positive attitudes that contribute to national development.
Hon. Eduamoah emphasized that patriotism goes beyond words and must be demonstrated through responsible actions, including keeping the environment clean and protecting public spaces.
He stated that maintaining a clean environment is not only beneficial to public health but also serves as a practical measure in preventing disasters such as floods.
The event brought together clergy, students, public officials and residents in a spirit of prayer, thanksgiving and national reflection, with participants being encouraged to contribute meaningfully toward building a disciplined and environmentally responsible Ghana.
Story by Yaw Boagyan
