Dr. Henry Kokofu, former Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged churches and other faith‑based institutions to take a leading role in educating Ghanaians on sanitation and environmental stewardship.
Speaking at the Clean Conference on Friday, August 21, 2026, he emphasised that religious leaders wield significant influence and should use their congregations to instill responsible attitudes toward the environment. Kokofu cautioned that sanitation education must not be left solely to government agencies and schools, stressing: “I can see my clergy, respected clergy around. It is a responsibility to take it to the congregation.”
He highlighted a troubling disconnect between personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness, noting that while many take great care with their appearance—especially when attending church—they often neglect the state of their surroundings. “Some days you’ll be going to church, dressed up and making sure the body is clean, yet our environment- we decide not to take care of that,” he observed.
According to him, religious leaders can help bridge that gap by making environmental responsibility part of the messages delivered to their congregations. He also called for sanitation education to be introduced more deliberately in schools, saying children should be taught good environmental habits from an early age.
“Let us catch them young,” he said.
“We, the older generation, might have failed ourselves because the systems might have failed us. So the younger ones coming, those in schools, the primary schools, the SHS up to the university level, we should take the message straight to them.” Dr Kokofu said the issue was ultimately about changing mindsets and helping citizens understand that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility.
“We need to change our mindsets,” he said.
