The state of Ghana is no different from other countries facing a setback in productivity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. While the government is doing its bid to help stabilise the economy despite the obvious challenges, some celebrities and corporate personalities have stepped into the ring to provide support to the less privileged and
communities affected by the pandemic.
Prior to the president’s Greater Accra and Kumasi partial lockdown announcement, business executives Dr. Osei Kwame Despite and Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong in a joint effort donated a sum of $100,000 to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. The gesture was to enable hospital administrators acquire needed tools, equipment and medications needed to curb the spread of the virus. At the time of their donation, the number of
confirmed cases in the country stood at 132 as against the now standing number of 287.
Award-winning actress Jackie Appiah together with her team visited the Texpo Market, Spintex to donate COVID-19 control items including hand sanitizers, veronica buckets, nose masks, liquid soaps, gloves and other demanding products to the market women as their station of work exposes them to contracting the virus due to the large crowd. ‘The Perfect Picture: 10 Years Later’ actress also took the liberty to educate the gathered market women on how to use the donated items and advised them to stay safe and healthy.
Miss Universe Ghana country director, Menaye Donkor has made a donation of 2000 sanitary pads to be distributed to female head-porters, who are currently out of job due to the COVID-19 spread. Donated through the Gender Ministry last Saturday, April 4, Menaye disclosed in a read-out statement by Miss Universe Ghana 2017, Ruth Quarshie saying, “I felt the need to support the Kayayei by providing them with my sanitary pads because I’ve always been a firm believer in giving back to society.”
Real Estate Developer, Nana Kwame Bediako, known by the moniker Cheddar, stormed the Independence Square with his freedom movement team on Sunday, March 29 to supply essential food items such as cooking oil, tomato paste, canned goods, bags of rice and drinking water to over a thousand less privileged individuals in the society. Not ending there, he has also pledged to turn his 5-star luxury serviced apartment No 1 Oxford Street, to be used as an isolation centre temporarily as health workers continue to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.
Actor turned politician, John Dumelo is among the handful of celebrities who started with early donations to some parts of the country. So far, John has done some good to all five police stations across the Ayawaso West constituency by donating veronica buckets, detergents, hand sanitizers and hand gloves. He further extended the exact gesture to the James Prison inside Roman Ridge, Accra. The member of parliament aspirant explained his reasons for choosing police centres as being his own way of helping police officers stay protected, largely because of their daily contact with persons from across the country.
Newly minted Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Award winner, Gloria Osei Sarfo, via her Instagram has reached out to persons in need of hand sanitizers and washing soaps. Her efforts to help combat the spread of the virus is
done through home delivery of the items to persons who ask for them on her
platform.
Meanwhile, young couple Fella Makafui and Medikal took to the streets on March 26 to share some essential products together with sealed envelopes (money) to street hawkers and pedestrians, while educating them on
rightful measures to take to curb the spread and prevention of the virus.
For the past week since the lockdown in Accra, actress Bibi Bright has partnered with Corporate Ghana in delivering 8000 packs of hot meals to the less privileged in some parts of the capital.
Glitz Style Awards Red Carpet Designer of the Year (2019) Quophi Akotuah, under his eponymous brand Quophi Akotuah Ghana has also designed non-surgical masks to be delivered freely across the country.
Award winning Ghanaian comedian Afia Schwarzenegger in partnership with Nigerian actress Tonto Dikeh, donated some food items including 2500 A1 bread to the less privilege on the streets of Accra.
By: Larry Adams
