The Damongo Catholic Diocesan Development Organization (DACADO), the development wing of the Catholic Diocese of Damongo, has launched a school-based sensitization campaign on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) aimed at improving health and academic performance among students across the diocese.
As part of its three-year Pro-WASH in Schools Project (2025–2028), DACADO began the exercise on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at St. Theresa’s KG and St. Anne’s Block A Schools in Damongo. The initiative involves health education, handwashing demonstrations, and the distribution of WASH materials including handwashing stations, soap, sanitizers, and sanitary pads.
Speaking to the media during the event, Madam Samsia Evita Mahama, a field officer at DACADO, explained the broader goals of the project. “We are working in 20 selected schools across the diocese to promote healthy hygiene practices among students, teachers, and even food vendors. This includes the provision of WASH items, health screening, sanitary pads for girls, and eventually, the construction of boreholes and toilet facilities in 10 schools,” she said.
The campaign is aimed not only at improving hygiene and reducing the spread of communicable diseases but also ensuring that adolescent girls do not miss school due to menstrual discomfort or lack of sanitary materials. DACADO is also working to revive and establish health clubs in the beneficiary schools as part of a holistic approach to WASH education.
Health screening exercises are planned for all students, with special attention given to those found to have underlying health conditions. Food vendors operating within school premises are also being included in the screenings to ensure food safety and public health compliance.
The project is being supported by DACADO’s development partners from Germany through funding from Kindermissionswerk. In Ghana, DACADO is collaborating closely with the Ghana Education Service (GES), School Health Education Programme (SHEP) coordinators, Catholic Education Unit and the Damongo Diocesan Health Service to ensure effective implementation.
“The overall goal,” Madam Samsia Mahama emphasized, “ is to improve the academic performance of school children through improved WASH practices”.
The selected 20 schools span across the Damongo Diocese, including areas such as Daboya, Grupe, Yapei, Sawla, Tuna, Kulmasa, Bamboi, and Bole. In the West Gonja Municipality, beneficiary schools include St. Theresa’s RC KG, St. Anne’s RC Primary A, Brotto RC Primary, Kabampe RC Primary, and Grupe RC Primary.
The Pro-WASH in Schools Project is expected to make a significant impact in improving school attendance, student health, and academic outcomes across the diocese by the end of its three-year cycle.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
