GJA President pledges active media support for sanitation drive
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called for stronger community involvement in sanitation planning and pledged the media’s active partnership in tackling Ghana’s sanitation challenges.
Speaking at the relaunch of National Sanitation Day, Mr Dwumfour stressed that involving communities in both planning and implementation would ensure that sanitation solutions are context-specific and sustainable.
“Past attempts to deal with the sanitation situation have achieved very little. While sanitation remains a problem, it would be undemocratic for security forces to brutalise citizens into compliance with regulations. Similarly, it would be undemocratic for authorities to stand by helplessly as poor sanitation causes disease outbreaks,” he said.
Underscoring the link between public health and development, Mr Dwumfour reminded Ghanaians that “our health is our wealth, and our wealth is our health.”
On the role of the media, the GJA President emphasised that journalists are not only watchdogs and educators but also critical partners in nation-building.
“For too long, we have reported more problems than solutions. Today, I declare that the Ghanaian media is ready to shift from being mere observers to active partners in solving this issue. This is our renewed commitment,” Mr Dwumfour stated.
The relaunch of National Sanitation Day forms part of renewed efforts to improve sanitation nationwide, with government, media and communities expected to collaborate to combat recurring challenges.
