Accra: Menstrual health and hygiene remain a top priority for the Danish Children's Fund as they collaborate with the Hansen Road Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) School to launch a Personal Hygiene Week aimed at promoting personal hygiene, healthy living, and disease prevention among school children in Accra.
According to Ghana Web, the initiative is designed to educate, inform, and sensitize students about environmental cleanliness and menstrual health management. The program seeks to inspire young people to take proactive steps in combating preventable diseases that affect children due to poor hygiene practices.
Samuel Emmanuel Thompson, the Local Manager of the Hansen Road SDA Church, emphasized the importance of empowering students with practical knowledge to adopt healthier lifestyles and become agents of change within their communities. He highlighted that personal hygiene plays a critical role in protecting individuals from infections and communicable diseases.
Thompson remarked, 'Many people are losing their lives to diseases that can easily be prevented through good hygiene practices. Personal hygiene is not something complicated or expensive; it is a way of life. When children learn to care for their bodies and maintain clean surroundings, they protect themselves and others from disease. By investing in these young people today, we are laying the foundation for a healthier Ghana tomorrow.'
The importance of educating adolescents on proper body care, oral hygiene, handwashing, and menstrual health was stressed, as healthy children are better positioned to succeed academically and contribute positively to society.
Henry Quaye, the Headmaster of the School, pointed out that many students come from areas with significant sanitation challenges, making hygiene education essential. He called for government and development partners to support private schools, particularly in menstrual hygiene education and provision of hygiene materials.
Quaye added, 'This programme is about creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the classroom. We expect every child who participated today to become an ambassador of personal hygiene in their home, among their peers and within the wider community. When schools, parents, and community leaders work together to reinforce these lessons, we can significantly reduce preventable diseases and raise a generation that values health, cleanliness, and personal responsibility.'
Josepha Adotey, a Senior Nursing Officer at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital, urged girls to use approved sanitary products and maintain proper hand hygiene to prevent infections and promote reproductive health. She emphasized that menstruation should not be a cause for shame and encouraged girls to seek guidance from trusted adults.
'With proper education, access to sanitary pads, and good hygiene practices, every girl can manage her menstrual health confidently, safely, and with dignity,' Adotey concluded.