Health & SanitationUpcoming

Clean Earth, Clear Future

A Theatre for Development Approach to Environmental Hygiene in Ghana

Background and Rationale

Environmental sanitation remains a major developmental challenge in Ghana, affecting public health, environmental sustainability, and overall quality of life. Many communities continue to struggle with improper waste disposal, plastic pollution, open defecation, and poor drainage systems. While government and institutional interventions have been implemented over the years, there is still a significant gap in community-level behavioral change. This calls for innovative, participatory, and culturally relevant approaches that actively involve people in finding solutions to sanitation challenges.

The project uses creative arts, theatre, and dialogue as tools to educate, engage, and empower young people to make informed decisions about relationships, emotional well-being, and mental health.

Core Components

Community-based drama performances on sanitation issues
Monthly awareness campaigns in selected communities
Health walks and clean-up exercises
Stakeholder engagement meetings (chiefs, assembly members, youth leaders)
Educational outreach in schools, markets, and public spaces
Media engagement and publicity campaigns
Establishment of a major dumping demonstration site as a practical model for waste management

Implementation Strategy

Phase 1: Pilot Expansion

Use of local languages and culturally relevant performances in Assin Foso
Collaboration with local leaders and institutions

Phase 2: Media Integration

Integration of education with entertainment (edutainment)
Establishment of dumping demonstration sites

Phase 3: National Rollout

Continuous monitoring and community feedback
Scale-up to nationwide implementation based on pilot learnings

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Expected Outcomes

1Increased awareness and understanding of sanitation practices
2Improved attitudes and behaviors toward environmental cleanliness
3Enhanced community participation in sanitation initiatives
4Reduction in indiscriminate waste disposal
5A replicable model for nationwide implementation

Project Overview

Location

Assin Foso, Central Region (Pilot) / Nationwide

Implementation

Starting 3 months (Pilot) / 12 months (Full Scale)

Geographic Scope

Clean Earth, Clear Future operates nationwide but will begin with a pilot phase in Assin Foso and surrounding communities in the Central Region of Ghana.

Target Audience

Communities within Assin Foso and surrounding areas (pilot phase), Youth groups and students, Market women and traders, Local government authorities and community leaders

Primary Aim

"To promote environmental hygiene and sustainable sanitation practices in communities across Ghana through Theatre for Development."

Key Objectives

•To increase awareness of environmental sanitation issues
•To influence positive behavioral change through participatory theatre
•To engage community members and stakeholders in sanitation advocacy
•To reduce sanitation-related health risks through education and community action

Partners & Stakeholders

Government institutionsMembers of ParliamentMetropolitan, Municipal, and District AssembliesNGOs and civil society organizationsCorporate sponsors and development partnersMedia organizations

Sustainability

•Collaboration with key government structures and MPs
•Community ownership of environmental cleanliness
•Demonstration models for waste management
•Replicable framework for scaling to other regions