Ghanaian actor and Vice President of the Ghana Cricket Association, Oscar Provencal, has emphasized the crucial role the creative industry plays in promoting sanitation awareness and encouraging behavior change, particularly regarding toilet hygiene and sanitation.
Speaking at the 2025 World Toilet Day Summit in Accra, Provencal highlighted the importance of toilets in preventing diseases and improving overall health. He believes the creative sector has the power to effectively spread information and influence public behavior, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a successful example of the industry’s ability to foster positive change.
“The creative industry is in the perfect position to lead health education. The creative sector has the ability to effectively share information and influence public behavior. We saw this during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the creative industry played a key role in raising awareness about hand washing and hygiene practices,” Provencal said.
He explained that the creative industry can help bridge the gap between policymakers and the public, making complex policies more accessible and understandable through various art forms, such as music, film, and visual arts. This can simplify complex issues and make them more relatable, ultimately driving positive change.
Provencal urged the government to recognize the value of the creative industry in national development, stating it’s essential for promoting health and sanitation awareness. He emphasized that the industry’s potential should be harnessed to address Ghana’s sanitation challenges, including the low percentage of households with improved toilet facilities and the prevalence of open defecation.
Ghana still lags behind, with only 25% of households having improved toilet facilities and 18% of the population practicing open defecation. Provencal’s call to action comes as the country observes World Toilet Day on November 19, with this year’s theme being “Everybody needs a toilet”, emphasizing the urgent need to protect and invest in sanitation systems.
The 2025 World Toilet Day Summit brought together players from the creative arts industry, morning show hosts, influencers, and bloggers to address Ghana’s sanitation issues. The event aimed to promote better hygiene practices and speed up progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
By: Ishmael Barfi
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
