With a sense of urgency, society is forced to restructure. People are questioning ways of doing things and are suggesting new methods.
Coronavirus is causing fear and panic all over the world. With a sense of urgency, society is forced to restructure. People are questioning ways of doing things and are suggesting new methods.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), personal hygiene like washing and sanitizing hands, cleaning surfaces and gadgets, and a clean environment amongst others are critical in preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Countries across the globe have devoted significant resources and energy to ensuring that citizens have access to water and improved sanitation by 2030 (UNCG & CSO 2017) (UN Human Rights Council 2002).
It was at this moment that Ghana comes to mind; a country where sanitation is undervalued. Ghana still faces serious challenges in providing adequate and improved sanitation for the masses.
Approaches, actions, and interventions for cleanliness are ineffectively monitored and coordinated in the country. The majority of citizens lack a sense of responsibility in keeping their surroundings clean.
It is common to see rubbish in some parts of the city left on the street for days. The stench from this rubbish and dirty choked gutters would not compel the authorities to act.
Some markets are unkempt and unhygienic.
It is only the fearful coronavirus that has compelled the government to partially clean and fumigates the market.
Education is very important in the development of mindsets, individuals and the nation. Unfortunately, some of our educational institutions are not clean enough.
Some restaurants, chop bars, and canteens install washbasins for customers to wash their hands. However, washbasins in restaurants are uncommon in Ghana. Usually, one is compelled to use cutlery, a bowl of water and soap or the washroom to wash hands before eating.
Most eateries clean tables with a dry or wet napkin without soap. Some food vendors also sell close to dirty gutters and leave their immediate environment dirty.
Going forward, we ought to ensure a clean market by educating both traders and customers and putting pressure on the government to provide the essentials required. Students must take responsibility for keeping their washrooms, classrooms, hostels, and campuses clean. School authorities and student bodies must step up with campaigns and regulations to instill a sense of cleanliness in students.
Eateries must make the necessary changes as we all learn from the effects of COVID-19.
The Government must step up with the implementation of sanitation policies and projects and provide necessities for Ghanaians.
If we all ‘sanitize’ our mindsets and decide to have a better attitudinal change towards sanitation, Ghana would become like Singapore, Rwanda, and Mauritius. Take charge, claim responsibility and clean around your house, school, church, and workplace.
Wash and sanitize your hands but don’t forget to ‘sanitize’ your mind towards cleanliness.
Edem Cedar -African Post Online
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Edem is a writer and loves to read. He believes that writing is an instrument of expression and an advocator of ideologies that can cause significant changes to our current dispensation and the future.
