World Vision Ghana has organised the 2026 Regional Hand Hygiene and WASH Leadership Summit to strengthen regional leadership, promote sustainable sanitation practices and mobilise investment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services across the Northern and Savannah regions.
The summit, held under the theme “Be a Handwashing Hero: Awareness to Action – Accelerating Regional Infrastructure, Policy and Financing for Hygiene,” brought together government representatives, traditional leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, journalists and other stakeholders to explore strategies for improving hand hygiene and sanitation outcomes.
The event highlighted the importance of hand hygiene as a fundamental pillar of public health, human dignity and sustainable development. It also provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, exchange innovative ideas, strengthen regional coordination and identify practical solutions to persistent WASH challenges.
Mr. Buguri Ressford Addo, Regional Operations Manager for World Vision’s Northern Region sector operations, said the summit was aimed at bringing stakeholders from the Northern and Savannah regions together to deliberate on WASH challenges and develop practical solutions. “Our vision is to mobilise humanitarian actors from the Northern and Savannah regions to dialogue and find possible solutions to some of the WASH issues in these two regions,” he said.
The summit also explored sustainable financing and investment opportunities, policy measures and institutional approaches that could accelerate progress in WASH service delivery. Participants discussed the need to foster stronger partnerships among government institutions, development partners, the private sector and civil society to improve access to safe water, sanitation facilities and effective hygiene practices.
Several non-governmental organisations and journalists also pledged to support WASH initiatives through financial contributions and other forms of assistance, demonstrating a shared commitment to improving sanitation and hygiene outcomes.
Despite progress in the WASH sector, gaps in access to basic services and the adoption of good hygiene practices continue to affect communities, schools and healthcare facilities.
The summit therefore sought to translate awareness into action by strengthening regional leadership, encouraging investment, promoting effective policies and securing concrete commitments towards sustainable WASH services. Stakeholders expressed the need for continued collaboration and deliberate action to ensure that improved hand hygiene and sanitation practices become part of everyday life, particularly in underserved communities.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
