MLGRD and ISD sign MoU on cholera

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Information Services Department (ISD) Directorate to undertake a public education campaign to end the cholera epidemic.

This is in response to the recent cholera epidemic in the country, which has led to the loss of several lives.

Mr Julius Debrah, MLGRD Minister in his address at the ceremony in Accra said the Local Government is expected to support the Central Government in tackling issues concerning sanitation; hence there is the need to encourage and educate the citizenry on their role to promote good sanitation practices.

The Minister described the campaign as a national agenda, which seeks to disseminate sanitation information across the country to enable the Ministry to attain the attitudinal change it has been working towards.

Mr Debrah urged all to come on board to achieve a clean environment, to avoid the reoccurrence of epidemics such as cholera in the society, declaring that “the battle against cholera is a social responsibility”.

Mr Elvis Adanyina, ISD Acting Director said the Department would use traditional system of communication, like the cinema van, which would be sent to all parts of the country, with messages on best practices of sanitation, to sensitise people at the grassroots on the need to keep a clean environment.

He said the Department would distribute fliers, posters and leaflets on best sanitary practices to get the people well informed, to help arrest the cholera pandemic.

Mr Adanyina said the ISD would also use audio-visuals to show some documentaries on best sanitation practices.

He said ISD would further use the social media, as a platform to gather feedbacks from the public, especially the media houses and also as a platform to monitor the campaign.

The Acting Director expressed gratitude to the Ministry for supporting the execution of the public education campaign.

He assured that with all the resources at their disposal, and the collaboration of relevant agencies and departments, ISD would be able to achieve its targets.