Today marks Global Handwashing Day and the emphasis on hygiene could not be more pronounced. Accra struggled with a Cholera outbreak  - that had patients being turned away from Korle-Bu teaching hospital - that has thankfully been put in check. Sadly Ebola’s been spreading across West Africa and beyond with a 2nd reported case, a nurse, contracting the virus in the United States.

Last Sunday on the Mpwr Show on Y 107.9 FM we highlighted one of the ways of preventing oneself from infection, amongst others, was washing one’s hands regularly, with special emphasis on drying our hands on clean towels or disposable tissue paper. Full list of  all Ebola preventative measures, here.


Unilever and LifeBuoy’s campaign is promoting general hygiene, washing of hands and helping a child reach 5 years in parts of the world. #helpachildreach5 #LifebuoyGHD


Video campaign below:

The #LifeBuoyGHD message is simple, let’s promote better hygiene habits especially among children and our world will be safer & healthier because of it. Handwashing fact sheet, here.

Every year 1.7 million children under the age of 5 die of infections like diarrhea and pneumonia.

This #GlobalHandwashingDay I pledge to #HelpAChildReach5 by teaching kids the importance of handwashing w/ soap! Join here.

E. A. Gamor Lifebuoy from Koala Shopping Mart, Accra

I picked up a bar of soap from my local grocery, have you gotten yours? #helpachildreach5 #LifebuoyGHD

There have been lots of reports on Ebola in Africa lately.

Ebola is a rare but deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body.

As the virus spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs. Ultimately, it causes levels of blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding.

The disease, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Ebola virus, kills up to 90% of people who are infected.

There are NO officially recorded cases of ebola/anyone having contracted ebola in Ghana as of today, Monday August 18th, 2014. Trace ebola cases here.

At this month's Accra Discourse, hosted by the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Accra Hub, Joy Seanehia, a researcher at Noguchi and Kobby Blay, of Ghana Health Nest debunked myths and misinformation surrounding ebola reporting in Ghana.

Yawa, moderator, with Kobby & Joy as panelists

Attendants asking questions

Shared experiences of recent international flyers into Kotoka International Airport

Packed House at monthly Accra Discourse

Kumasi & Accra Hub members with Africa Hubs Community Manager Chidiogo Akunyili

Attendees deliberating after the panel discussion