By: Elijah Easter Kaykay
In a decisive move to bolster sanitation efforts, the Wayzohn City Sanitation Team has completed a comprehensive community watch promotion training, marking a new chapter in the city’s environmental health initiatives.
The four-day program, which wrapped up on August 7, was spearheaded by Sampson Nease, Executive Officer of Empowerment Rehabilitation Services (ERS), and drew participation from fourteen team members committed to transforming sanitation practices across the city.
The training was made possible through sponsorship from the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) based in Calgary, Canada.
Its curriculum centered on effective wash promotion, innovative community cleaning techniques, and the development of wash detective skills—tools designed to empower local sanitation workers to spearhead community-led sanitation projects.
“This initiative forms part of a larger regional effort targeting all four cities within Grand Bassa County, with the goal of completing by November 2025”, it added.
During the closing ceremony, Wayzohn City Mayor Nathaniel T. Ghiee highlighted the urgency of the program, citing the city’s pressing sanitation challenges.
“This training arrives at a crucial moment for Wayzohn,” he said. “Our city’s sanitation situation requires urgent attention, and it’s not enough to just acquire knowledge—what truly counts is putting it into action. I call on all participants to serve as role models and advocates for proper sanitation in their communities”,He added.
Mayor Ghiee stressed that the program’s success depends on continuous monitoring and community engagement.
He outlined plans for follow-up activities, including community-based initiatives and evaluations to assess how well the trained sanitation team applies their new skills.
On behalf of the participants, Philip D. Davis from the city’s financial department expressed optimism about the training’s long-term impact.
“This initiative is essential for our city’s growth,” he stated. “We intend to leverage what we’ve learned to raise awareness and promote sustainable sanitation practices throughout all neighborhoods.”
Among other things, The training covered strategies for effective wash promotion, community sanitation campaigns, and methods to identify and resolve sanitation issues—skills that participants are expected to champion as they carry out their duties.
At the same time, The collaborative effort involving ERS, CAWST, and local government officials aims to position Wayzohn as a model of community-driven sanitation.
With this training behind them, the city is set to strengthen its infrastructure, foster behavioral change, and cultivate a cleaner, healthier environment for all residents.
