In a show of national responsibility and partnership, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), under the leadership of Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has thrown its full weight behind the government’s ambitious plans to reintroduce the National Sanitation Day (NSD) initiative this May. The move, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, is part of a renewed push to tackle Ghana’s sanitation crisis and foster a culture of environmental cleanliness across the nation.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Wednesday, April 16, by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Apostle Nyamekye praised the Ministry’s vision, commending the government’s willingness to mobilise religious institutions as partners in national development.
“You have come at the right time. This is not just a policy; it is a moral and civic call to action. Cleanliness must be seen as a shared national duty, and we at GPCC are ready to stand with you,” he affirmed.
Quoting from 1 Chronicles 28:20–21, Apostle Nyamekye likened the Minister’s assignment to the biblical King Solomon; young, but with the responsibility of building a nation. “Be strong and courageous and do the work… you have all of us behind you,” he encouraged, emphasizing that the scale of the task demanded strategic partnerships, skilled support, and intentional mobilization.
The GPCC President urged the Ministry to ensure that the planned launch of the NSD initiative is preceded by thorough public education and widespread sensitization. “Don’t rush to launch if the ground is not well prepared. The launch must have energy, visibility, and the presence of key influencers, chiefs, clergy, Members of Parliament, market leaders and those whose presence will lend weight to this national call,” he advised.
Apostle Nyamekye recalled the country’s earlier sanitation systems, noting how structures such as the Town Council once instilled order and fear of filth among citizens. He decried the erosion of such discipline and lamented the growing impact of poor sanitation on health, water resources, and air quality. “We are literally polluting our streams, our streets, and our lungs. It is time to act decisively,” he charged.
Pledging GPCC’s institutional support, he called on the Minister to draw in all national actors, from traditional authorities to faith-based groups, market associations, and transport unions. “Organising people in Ghana is not as difficult as it seems. The right messengers, when empowered, can move entire communities,” he said.
He further recommended that the Ministry engage with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to integrate sanitation into the school curriculum, especially at the basic and secondary levels. “We may have lost a generation to poor sanitation habits, but we can shape a new Ghanaian; one who values cleanliness as a personal and national virtue,” he concluded.
In response, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed deep appreciation for the GPCC’s endorsement and affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to broad-based collaboration. “This is not a government fight; it is Ghana’s fight. We are determined to rally every institution, secular and sacred towards this mission,” he stated.
As preparations toward the official launch of the reintroduced National Sanitation Day draws closer, the partnership with GPCC is already shaping up as a beacon of national unity and a bold call to reclaim Ghana’s environmental dignity.
Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah
(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)