Accra, April 3, GNA – Plan International Ghana on Friday donated a cheque for GH¢50,000.00 to the COVID-19 Fund set up by government and GH¢20,000.00 to the Ministry of Gender in its quest to support vulnerable children and women, especially kayayei.
Plan International also donated bags of sanitary pads and diapers to the Ministry to support needy mothers, especially the homeless.
The COVID-19 Fund was set up by the Government to assist the needy and underprivileged communities as the nation battles with the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Gender Ministry on the other hand since the interception of some kayayes who were trying to move to Walewale to escape the restriction of movement in Accra, at Ejisu has instituted measures to support them and other kayayes with food and basic necessities through the period of restriction.
The restriction of movement was imposed on Accra, Kumasi, Tema and Kasoa by the President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday March 29, 2020 to control the spread of COVID-19. As at April 3, 2020, Ghana had recorded 204 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with five deaths and three fully recovered.
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. It strives for a just world, working together with children, young people, supporters and partners.
Mr Solomon Tesfamariam, the Country Director of Plan International Ghana, said the organisation across the globe, had set up an emergency response teams to support governments’ efforts in the fight against the respiratory disease.
The move, he said, was part of corporate response to ensure the welfare of humanity, especially in this season where some people were more vulnerable to the consequences of the pandemic.
Among such people are persons with disabilities, kayaye, street children and street beggars, and other homeless and destitute people.
“We know such people are extremely impacted, therefore we felt the need to also provide support to make life a bit comfortable for them in this crucial time,” he said.
Mr Tesfamariam explained that as the economic activity of most women on the streets, especially kayaye had been brought to a halt as a result of the restriction of movement, they believed it would be difficult for them to purchase diapers and sanitary pads for themselves and their children.
“So we donated these items for the mothers to provide themselves and their children some dignity. We hope this can go a long way to reduce the burden on the government purse,” he added.
Mrs Cynthia Mamle Morrison, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, expressed gratitude to Plan International Ghana for the kind gesture and for being a long reliable partner to the government.
“On behalf of the vulnerable and needy, the government and myself as a mother, I want to say a very big thank you to your humanitarian organisation and I know this would be of great help to the vulnerable as we try to withstand this hard moment,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to them for heeding to their call when they turned to them for support
