By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Sekondi, Jan. 23, GNA – The Ghana Red Cross Society has called the government and other stakeholders to begin recognising the society’s key auxiliary roles in health and emergency responses.
Dr. Edward Donkoh, the National President, urged the Ministry of Health, Education, Interior and Defence to carefully integrate the society’s roles in their programmes and projects.
He said: “By the Acts of the Red Cross, the President of Ghana is the Chief Patron, and the Regional Ministers are also Patrons. We really need to work together; we have the volunteers and the skills for emergency responses and management”.
Dr. Donkoh said this when he together with the Regional Executives visited the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson to educate him on his role as Regional Patron and Decorate him with a symbolic dress of authority as a lead Patron.
The Red Cross, he said, had the requisite expertise to serve on committees of government, stating their role was distinct from the NADMO and Ghana Ambulance Service.
Dr. Donkoh, said government institutions should not over look or side-line their role in emergency and disaster managements; “all over the world, Red Cross Society plays a crucial role, and Ghana must help it function in its auxiliary roles.”
He commended the government for helping with some allocations to run their activities.
The red Cross with over 72,000 volunteers works in disaster emergency responses, WASH, and other health emergencies.
Mr. Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister who warmly received the group, was enthused about the education on his role as a Minister and pledged his full support to their activities.
He said: “Health is my passion, as RCC, welfare is key and so we will do our bid to improve humanity together “.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/Linda Asante Agyei