ActionAid Ghana (AAG), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has begun the distribution of relief items to more than 15,000 households and 15 rural hospitals in the country, as its contribution to the fight against COVID-19.
The relief items worth GH¢ 2,190,000, include 3,1117 sacks of rice, 1,314 boxes of oil, 290 boxes of sanitary pads, 330 packs of cocoa powder and sugar.
Others are 15,000 reusable nose masks, 45 cartons of hand gloves, 45 cartons of disinfectants, 75 gallons of liquid soap, 935 boxes of soap, 600 boxes of hand sanitisers and 500 Veronica buckets.
The project is being implemented by the NGO in collaboration with its partners with funding from European Union, under the Northern Ghana Integrated Development Project, and the Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, in the United Kingdom.
The Head of Programmes, Campaigns and Innovations of AAG, Mr John Nkaw, disclosed these at the launched of AAG COVID-19 Response Project at Zebilla in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region, on Wednesday.
He explained that the project was being implemented in three phases, to support the government of Ghana‘s efforts at containing the pandemic.
He said the phase one, which was currently ongoing was characterised by series of awareness creation campaigns and health and safety protocols on social media, community radio and by use of Information and education.
Mr Nkaw said the project had also handed over AAG Survivors Centre in Wa, to be used by survivors of gender–based violence as isolation centre for COVID -19 treatment.
He stated that phase two of the project, which commenced on June 1, this year in the Greater Accra Region, was currently ongoing in the Upper East and Upper West regions with the distribution of relief items.
Mr Nkwa stated that the phase three of the AAG COVID-19 Response would target additional 10,000 households.
The Upper East Regional Manager of AAG, Mr Alhassan Sulemana, said that the project was expected to benefit 3,000 women and children in the region.
He stated that to ensure efficient distribution and transparency of the items, AAG had engaged its local partners, including Tree Aid Ghana to monitor the exercise.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Fuseini Adongo, commended AAG for supporting the fight against COVID-19.
He said government alone could not fight the canker, and appealed to individuals and organisations to complement government’s effort at containing the pandemic.
From Samuel Akapule, Zebilla
