Reverend Richard Mawutor Buamah, an Environmental Health Analyst and Pastor in charge of the Klefe Pastoral District of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, has highlighted that more than 3.4 billion people globally still lack access to safely managed sanitation.
He made the remarks during the 2025 World Toilet Day celebration held in Ho, themed “Sanitation in a changing world: our collective responsibility.”
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Rev. Buamah warned that the sanitation crisis exposes millions to preventable diseases, undermines human dignity, especially for women and children, and damages the environment.
He emphasised that, despite governmental efforts, billions remain without proper sanitation, affecting health, education, and economic well-being.
The Analyst noted that climate-related shocks such as storms, floods, droughts, and heatwaves, coupled with rapid population growth, are placing severe strain on sanitation infrastructure.
“Toilets and waste systems that are not climate-resilient risk destruction,” he said, urging that sanitation and waste management systems be designed to withstand environmental shocks, conserve water, reduce emissions, and protect water bodies from pollution.
Rev. Buamah also highlighted the economic dimension of poor sanitation, stating it costs billions of dollars annually in lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and environmental challenges.
He stressed that every investment in climate-resilient sanitation yields high returns in improved productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced quality of life.
Urging faith-based engagement, he said the Church should treat sanitation not only as a public health priority but also as a spiritual responsibility, upholding human dignity, protecting the vulnerable, and demonstrating God’s love in action.
He called on churches and faith leaders to actively preach, teach, and advocate for proper sanitation practices, emphasising that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility.
