The Danish Children Fund, in partnership with Hansen Road Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) School, has held a Personal Hygiene Week Celebration. This event aimed to promote healthy living and prevent diseases among schoolchildren in Accra. Hundreds of pupils participated in the initiative.
The programme focused on key areas of personal hygiene. It also covered environmental cleanliness and menstrual health management. Students from several invited schools joined Hansen Road SDA School. These included Wesley JHS, Derby Avenue R/C JHS, Akotolante JHS, and Ga Mashie School. Participants received sanitary items and learning materials. This helped reinforce the lessons taught.
This initiative addresses a critical public health concern in Ghana. Preventable diseases linked to poor hygiene affect many children. Pastor Samuel Emmanuel Thompson, Local Manager of the SDA Church at Hansen Road, highlighted this. Poor hygiene leads to widespread illness. He stated that good hygiene is not complicated or expensive. It is a way of life that protects children and their communities. Educating children early is vital for building a healthier society. Personal hygiene helps prevent infections and other health issues.
Henry Quaye, Headmaster of Hansen Road SDA School, called the programme a critical intervention. This is especially true for pupils from communities with sanitation challenges. The school plans to involve parents in reinforcing the lessons. They will also encourage pupils to share their new hygiene knowledge at home. This creates a ripple effect of good habits. He also called for more government and development partner support. This support is needed to help private schools improve hygiene education. Specifically, menstrual health awareness and material access require attention.
A Senior Nursing Officer, Josepha Adotey, led a session on menstrual health. She works at Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital. Adotey urged adolescent girls to view menstruation as a natural stage. They should not see it as a cause for shame or stigma. She advised girls to use approved sanitary products. They must also practice good hygiene, like handwashing. This reduces infection risks and promotes reproductive health. This Personal Hygiene Week Celebration is part of ongoing efforts. The Danish Children Fund and Hansen Road SDA School work to strengthen hygiene awareness. They aim to promote lifelong health habits.