The government of the Republic of Korea has donated relief items valued at $50,000 to Zongo communities in Accra to help alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The items, made up of food items and hygiene products, were presented through the Korea International Cooperation Agency’s World Friends Korea (WFK), a volunteer scheme which contributes to sustainable development all over the world.
The hygiene items were 287 gallons of hand sanitisers, 3, 600 pieces of reusable masks, 330 packs of detergent powder and other sanitary items.
The food items were also made up of 1,300 bags of 5kg rice, 1,640 packs of spaghetti, 328 five-litre bottles of cooking oil.
One thousand and three hundred individuals are to benefit from the donation.
Solidarity
Presenting the items at the Republic of Korea Embassy in Accra yesterday, the country’s Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Sungsoo Kim, said the gesture was to express Korea’s solidarity and deep relationship with the country as it fought against COVID-19.
“This is not all, this is just a small gesture from my government, to express our friendship and support to the country during this pandemic,” he said.
He added that the relief items were expected to assist the vulnerable and marginalised people in Zongo communities, especially having come out of the month-long Ramadan fast.
“The donated items are expected to support over 1,300 individuals and I hope our contribution would be helpful and will be distributed fairly to all the beneficiaries in these communities,” he stated.
He also expressed his gratitude to all health workers and frontliners in the country, stressing that “my government will continue to have a long-lasting partnership and commitment to Ghana.”
Gratitude
The Minister of State at the Office of the Vice-President and Member of Parliament for the Madina Constituency, Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface, who received the items on behalf of the Zongo communities, expressed gratitude to the Korean government and the international agency for the support.
“We are grateful to the good people of Korea. Even though they are also fighting the pandemic, they decided to support us, I’m lost for words and I thank you on behalf of the chiefs and the people of the Zongo communities,” he said.
He further assured the ambassador that the items would be shared fairly among the people.
“Part of these items would be given to the National Chief Imam who represents all Muslims in this country and then distributed to the vulnerable,” Mr Boniface added.
The Madina Zongo Chief, Chief Amadu Baba Seidu, commended Mr Kim and his government for their kind gesture.
“What they have done is laudable, we thank them, we pray that Allah blesses them and ask that they keep supporting us,” he said.
Source: www.graphic.com.gh
