On World Toilet Day, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana successfully commissioned a 20-seater modern toilet facility for the Chemuena Cluster of Schools in Chorkor, a community on Accra’s coastline grappling with severe sanitation challenges, open defecation, and the impacts of climate change such as sea-level rise and flooding.
This milestone is part of the PRU Climate Action Project designed to impact the , funded by the Prudence Foundation (the community investment arm of Prudential PLC), which seeks to build climate and health resilience in vulnerable communities. The Chemuena Cluster, comprising three schools with over 400 pupils, previously had no functional WASH facility. Students often paid to use public toilets far from reach, exposing them to health risks and disrupting learning.
Why This Matters
A baseline study by United Way, the implementing partner on this project revealed that in 2023, Chorkor recorded 10,000 malaria cases and widespread sanitation-related illnesses. In Q1 2024, over 400 malaria cases were reported at just two health centers. Poor WASH conditions remain a major risk factor for diseases, including non-communicable illnesses like cancer and diabetes.
A toilet may seem simple, but it is a gateway to dignity, health, and education. By reducing exposure to cholera, malaria, and other sanitation-related diseases, this facility will help keep children in school and improve learning outcomes.
The Role of Prudential Life
Speaking at the commissioning, Madam Jane Mingle, CEO of Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, emphasized, “This is not just a building, it is a promise of safety, better health, and uninterrupted learning. Guided by our purpose, For Every Life, For Every Future, we are committed to creating sustainable solutions that improve lives.”
The commissioning of the 20-seater toilet facility marks a major milestone in the larger PRU Climate Action Project which has so far rolled out health insurance coverage for 300 vulnerable individuals and shared mosquito nets to pregnant women and lactating mothers, ensuring access to essential healthcare.
Established environmental clubs in schools, actively promoting recycling, climate education, and sustainable practices among young learners. Launched plastic recycling programs with reward systems, turning waste into value and fostering a circular economy mindset.
Distributed waste management equipment and initiated community clean-up campaigns and waste management advocacy, which have been ongoing to create a cleaner, healthier environment.
Construction of 100 biodigester toilet facilities for homes in Chorkor is currently underway, further reducing open defecation and improving sanitation at the household level.
These interventions reflect our commitment to climate resilience, health equity, and sustainable development, ensuring that progress is not just promised, it is delivered.
Working with the Community
The Chief of Chorkor lauded Prudential Life and the Prudence Foundation for “walking the talk,” assuring that by the end of the project, 25% of sanitation-related challenges in the community will be addressed. Representatives from the Ghana Health Service highlighted that poor sanitation is a key driver of disease burden and applauded this intervention as a proactive step toward reducing health risks
As a sustainability-led company, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana commends the United Way Ghana (implementing partner), local authorities, community leaders, municipal education directorate, municipal health directorate and the community members whose shared efforts are impacting thousands of lives in Chorkor.
This is testament to our collective aim to transform lives and protect futures because every child deserves dignity. Every family deserves health. And every community deserves resilience.
