World Vision Ghana Crowns Child Sanitation Diplomat 2025
By Anastasia Afiyo Atiglo, Donor Liaison Advisor
Artaldus Sung Kuutanaa, a pupil of the Accra College of Education Demonstration School has been named Child Sanitation Diplomat 2025. He emerged as the overall winner at the Grand Finale of the 6th School Sanitation Solutions Challenge.
His victory was the highlight of the 4th Children’s Sanitation Festival, which took place in Accra, Ghana on 22 September under the theme “Raising a New Sanitation-Conscious Generation.”
Artaldus captivated the judges and guests with his creativity and commitment to improving sanitation practices in schools and communities. Competing against three other outstanding finalists, he showcased his innovative thinking and a passion for environmental sustainability.
The finalists were Desiree Amos from AGBL Basic School in Bibiani; Kolbila Emmanuella from Charis Christian Mission School in Accra and Kwabena Nyarko from Yiadom Boakye Demonstration School in Berekum. They each presented bold solutions, ranging from waste segregation campaigns to school-based sanitation policies, thereby highlighting the crucial part that children can play in shaping Ghana’s future.
Organised by World Vision Ghana in collaboration with key partners, the event brought together pupils, teachers, policymakers and development stakeholders. It was a celebration and a competition showcasing children as agents of change.
Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, was the guest of honour and lauded the young finalists for their courage and innovation.
“Children are powerful advocates of change. When they learn and lead, entire households and communities follow. That is why government stands behind platforms such as this festival to nurture a new generation of sanitation-conscious leaders. The fight for better sanitation will be won when our children carry the sanitation gospel into every corner,” he said.
Tinah Mukunda, National Director of World Vision Ghana, reiterated the organisation’s long-term commitment to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). “As an organisation whose vision for every child is life in all its fullness, we believe that nothing can be more important to child well-being than access to safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene. That is why we prioritise and promote access to sustainable WASH services in schools, households, healthcare facilities, and public centres,” she said.
The festival was made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the GAMA Sanitation and Water Project, the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) initiative, the Ghana Education Service, Kings Hall Media, the Zoomlion Foundation, and the Marlin Resort. This wide coalition reflects the growing recognition that sanitation challenges require a whole-of-society approach.
Alongside the competition, children also presented cultural performances and dramas to communicate hygiene messages creatively. The lively atmosphere reinforced the message that sanitation is everyone’s responsibility, and that children can lead the way in changing behaviour.
By crowning of the Child Sanitation Diplomat 2025, World Vision Ghana and its partners have once again highlighted the power of young voices in promoting Ghana's sanitation agenda.