Accra, May 10, GNA – Maloa Foundation, a charitable non-governmental organisation, as part of efforts to support the fight against the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has extended its COVID-19 relief support to more vulnerable people.
The exercise, which commenced at the beginning of the period of restriction of movement, has so far distributed hand sanitizers, face masks and food items to more than 750 needy and vulnerable people in Accra.
A statement from Maloa Foundation to the Ghana News Agency, said beneficiaries of the gesture included the homeless living within and around the Black Star Square, the Children’s Park, head potters (Kayaye) at Darkuman and some street beggars at Kaneshie Zongo Junction.
The Foundation also educated beneficiaries on the World Health Organization and Ghana Health Service precautionary measures for the pandemic including washing hands regularly with soap under running water, using hand sanitizers often, covering mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing, keeping at least two metres distance away from people, and wearing face masks.
Mr Mickydary Yakubu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, according to the statement said, a large section of the population employed in the informal sector overrode those in the formal sector and some of them depended on what they earned each day for survival, which could barely secure their livelihoods.
Life became more unbearable as they could not engage in their trading activities anymore during the period of restriction of movement.
“That is why the Maloa Foundation took it upon itself to help alleviate the burden on the vulnerable in society especially during his dire period of the COVID-19. The speed with which some of them rushed for the items was a clear indication of how they needed support,” he said.
Mr Yakubu said it was unfortunate how many people since the partial lockdown, as part of measures by government to control the spread of the respiratory disease, have gone through many adversities to survive despite many interventions by government to make life comfortable for all the vulnerable in the society.
He urged government to implement mechanisms to develop accurate data of COVID-19 patients and all people involved for effective planning and management of the situation.
In the critical period where people were encouraged to eat healthily to boost their immune system, Mr Yakubu cautioned the youth against drug abuse, the statement said.
He thanked the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for encouraging him to do his bit to support others and acknowledged the cooperation and support of volunteers including Sergeant Asare Bediako of the Ghana Armed Forces for ensuring that there was orderliness at the grounds of the exercise.
GNA