AMA educates Accra students on proper handwashing to prevent diseases

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) recently educated students from Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School (HOTCASS) on proper handwashing techniques to help prevent diseases and promote good personal hygiene. The health education program took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, and was organized by the AMA's Public Health Department in partnership with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to celebrate Global Handwashing Day.

The primary goal of the initiative was to provide students with hands-on knowledge of effective handwashing methods and to encourage healthy hygiene habits that can help curb the spread of infectious diseases. The event featured practical demonstrations and interactive sessions that underscored the importance of washing hands with soap and running water, as well as the critical moments during the day when handwashing is particularly necessary.

Florence Kuukyi, Head of the AMA Public Health Department, stressed that regular and proper handwashing remains one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. She highlighted that cultivating a routine of handwashing could protect both individuals and communities, especially in school settings where students are in close proximity and may easily spread infections to one another.

Global Handwashing Day, observed annually on October 15, serves as a reminder to raise awareness about the significance of handwashing with soap and to encourage individuals, institutions, and communities to adopt proper hygiene practices. Established in 2008, this global observance emphasizes handwashing as a crucial public health measure and aims to foster sustained behavioral changes to enhance sanitation and reduce the risk of disease transmission.