News
Absa Bank Ghana, Genser Energy and partners donate medical supplies to help fight COVID-19
Absa Bank Ghana in collaboration with Genser Energy Ghana and its partners has made a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to the Ghana Armed Forces COVID Task Force and the Ashanti Regional Hospital, to complement government’s effort in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The other partners are Barak Fund and Africa 50.
The items worth $50,000 include medical protective masks and goggles as well as two sets of ventilators.
Commenting on the donation, the Corporate Banking Director at Absa Bank Ghana, Mrs Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, noted that, COVID-19 was a major public health issue with profound economic and social consequences on Ghanaians.
“Our strategic collaboration with our clients to support frontline institutions is a demonstration of our commitment to work with all stakeholders to help win the fight against COVID-19. We recognise the sacrifice of our frontline workers for Ghana and we deem it important to support them with the necessary equipment to protect them as they put their lives on the line to save others. We are in this together and we must support each other to win over COVID-19,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of Genser Energy, the Financial Controller, Haruna Abdulai, said, “Genser Energy recognises the importance of stronger partnerships and the positive impact it has on communities. Our organisation remains committed to supporting those providing essential services while leading the fight against COVID-19.”
Receiving the items on behalf of the Kumasi South Hospital, the Medical Director, Dr Kwame Boadu, expressed appreciation to Absa Bank, Genser Energy Ghana and its partners for the support and commended the companies for showing care to the health workers helping in the fight against COVID-19.
“We are grateful to Absa Bank and Genser Energy for the support and especially for the set of ventilators. The ventilators are very important in managing the serious cases and these are going to be dedicated to the treatment centre,” he said.
The Kumasi South Hospital is the main health facility for the COVID-19 treatment in the region and recorded Ghana’s first COVID-19 recovery as well as the first successful COVID-19 delivery by an infected mother.
According to Absa Bank Ghana, it has so far committed more than GH₵ 1.6 million Ghana to the fight against Coronavirus.
This includes a donation of GH₵ 1 million to the COVID-19 National Trust Fund towards the procurement of test kits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support increased testing and the protection of frontline health workers.
In addition, Absa is offering several relief packages to help reduce the economic impact on customers, as a result of the pandemic.
BY TIMES REPORTER
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
