Accra, May 1, GNA- The Ghana Civil Society Platform on Sustainable Development Goals, working with its strategic partners, has supported some less privileged groups with relief items valued at about GH¢58,000.
The beneficiary groups are Persons with Disability; Street Children; Aged/Widows and persons under mental health care.
They received food items, medical supplies and toiletries at different locations in the capital-Accra, Kasoa in the Central Region, and Asawase in the Ashanti Region.
Mr George Osei-Bimpeh, Co-chair and Convener of SDG Sub-Platform 10, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the Platform thought it wise to establish a trust -the CSO COVID-19 Fund – for members to contribute to complement government’s efforts to stop the spread of the virus and reduce its adverse impacts.
He explained that after the establishment of the Fund, a high-level committee was constituted to provide leadership and oversight on all issues pertaining to it.
Members were urged to contribute to the fund, subsequently, with the first proceeds yielding about GH¢111,000.
“After their deliberation and assessment, the Committee resolved to support the less privileged as the first phase,” he stated.
The Committee would, therefore, convene a meeting next week to discuss the next actions to be taken to help the Government and the global goal of flattening the COVID-19 curve and its eradication.
He said the Committee was likely to focus its energies in the area of behavioural change communication, especially the sensitisation on physical distancing and other social issues fuelling the infection rate.
Mr Osei-Bimpeh thanked all members who contributed, saying, there was an opportunity to add more funds to support a worthy cause.
He urged the public to do their bit by complying with the preventive measures set by the World Health Organisation and the Ghana Health Service to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
“People must practice the washing of hands regularly with soap under running water, cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing with a disposable tissue, keep a distance of at least two metres from people, and use hand sanitizers often to stay safe from the respiratory disease.
Dr Peter Obeng-Asamoa received the items on behalf of the Ghana Federation of the Disabilities; Mr Sunday Anaba on behalf of the Mentally Challenged Group; Ms Charity Owusu Dansu for the Aged group; while Mr Solomon Tetteh received it for Street Children.
GNA