Include hand washing in school curricula -Minister

Cape Coast July 9, GNA- Mr Isaac Edumadze, Central Regional Minister, on Friday called on the Ghana Education Service (GES), to include hand washing with soap, in the school curricula, to promote good hygiene among students.

Mr Edumadze, who made the call in a speech read on his behalf at the Regional launch of the 'Public Private Partnership for Hand Washing with Soap (PPPH) campaign, in Cape Coast, said the message of the campaign should motivate people to provide hand washing facilities with soap in public places.

The programme was jointly organised by the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and the Private Sector Development Partners, to help reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal, which is among the major childhood killer diseases.

Mr Edumadze, said the main reason why people should wash their hands with soap, especially after visiting the toilet, was to reduce the high incidence of communicable diseases.

He said between two and three million children die every year due to diarrhoeal cases.

"As we launch the Regional campaign to promote hand washing with soap in Ghana, let us note that promoting health and dignity are the first steps towards development and a better quality of life."

Mr Francis Awindaogo Regional Director of CWSA, said hand washing with soap was the only means of preventing viral infections.

Nana Garbrah Aidoo, Coordinator of PPPH, called on parents to expose their children to the habit of washing their hands with soap.