Koforidua, April 24, GNA – The Eastern, Volta and Oti branch of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana Oil Palm Development Company and B. Foster Bakery have donated items and cash to frontline workers in the fight the spread of COVID-19 in the regions.
The items included; boxes of sanitizers, Infrared thermometers, disposable protective masks, locally made mouth and nose masks, rolls of tissue paper, detergents, B. Foster bread, assorted drinks, cartons of bottled water and a cheque for Gh¢20,000.00 from GOPDC.
Presenting the items at a short ceremony, Mr Dela Gadzanku, Chairman of the Eastern, Volta and Oti Regional branch of AGI said, despite the private sector being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, it was no excuse not to assist the citizens who needed support to survive the coronavirus scare.
He appealed to businesses in the region to support the fight the pandemic and explained that, the earlier the virus was eradicated, the better to bring normalcy to businesses in the region.
He warned of economic consequences, if efforts were not made urgently to make Ghana a covid-19 free nation.
The Chairman said, his outfit realized the efforts of government and other stakeholders to help minimize the effect and the infection of the virus on the economy and, therefore found it necessary to donate towards that course.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Eric Kwakye Darfour received the items on behalf of the ERCC and explained that fighting the pandemic was a collective effort and government alone could not take the responsibility.
He acknowledged the fact that various institutions and individuals had donated and supported towards the fight.
He explained that the pandemic was not like the normal diseases, where one person was affected and was treated ,’’We have people being affected in their numbers and in the Eastern Region, we have had our share and we have about 50 infected people ’’ he said.
Mr Darfour said measures were put in place with the Ghana Health Service Directorate leading the public health emergency committee to fight the pandemic in the region and expressed worry especially with traders at the markets not adhering to the social distancing directive.
Mr Darfour commended the AGI and its member companies, GOPDC, B. Foster, Jocelyn Fit and Fashion and AAB Limited for the support to the people of the Eastern Region.
Mr Sowu Avogbedoh, Outgrower and Community Relations Manager of the Ghana Oil Palm Development Company (GOPDC) said, in the coming days, his outfit would reach out to communities around their enclave by donating veronica buckets, sanitizers, handwashing soaps and towels.
He indicated that GOPDC will spend about GH¢100, 000.00 as part of its community support to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
GNA