Sowa Chiefdom Launches Monthly One Health Public Sanitation Campaign

Frederick Mohamed Jaward
2 days ago
2 min read

The Sowa Chiefdom One Health Committee officially launched a monthly chiefdom-wide sanitation initiative on Saturday, August 29, 2026, aimed at improving public health, environmental hygiene, and overall community well-being.

The recurring exercise convenes key local actors—including Paramount Chief Lahai A.K. Sowa, representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, youth groups, women’s organizations, and local residents—to carry out community-wide cleanups across various settlements in the chiefdom on a monthly basis.

Committee Chairman Paramount Chief Sowa explained that the initiative encourages residents to proactively manage their local environment. Work crews will focus on clearing overgrown bush, clearing drainage channels, disposing of accumulated refuse, and eliminating potential disease vectors.

Stressing the critical nature of community engagement, Mohamed K. Conteh, Chiefdom Health Overseer for Sowa Chiefdom, noted during the launch that maintaining environmental health requires collective effort.

Conteh urged all households to participate regularly in upcoming monthly events and to establish sustainable day-to-day waste management practices.

“The One Health approach underlines the interconnectedness of human health, animal welfare, and ecosystem stability,”

Conteh stated, adding that proactive environmental care is essential for preventing disease outbreaks and boosting local living standards.

Echoing these sentiments, Mohamed M.G.T. Pessima, Pujehun District Waste Management and Hygiene Promotion Focal Person, commended the leadership of the One Health Committee. He expressed confidence that the scheduled monthly cleanups would foster community ownership and significantly upgrade sanitation standards across the chiefdom.

Local participants broadly welcomed the campaign's rollout, calling for consistent attendance and sustained civic participation to meet long-term hygiene goals.

The Sowa Chiefdom One Health Committee continues to appeal to traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and youth leaders to champion the cause and normalize routine sanitation practices.

This ongoing health initiative was established following specialized capacity-building training delivered to Chiefdom One Health Committees by GIZ.