THE NORTHERN Regional Minister, Moses Abukari Mabengba, has admonished managers of orphanages to live beyond reproach in order not to lose confidence of benevolent organizations who intend helping them.
According to him, diverting of donations, as witnessed in other parts of the country, should not be replicated in the region as it might have dire consequences on the lives of inmates in the homes.
The Minister, who gave the caution when he made donations to Nyohani and Afani Children’s homes within the Tamale Metropolis, said it was the desire of the current government to come to the aid of the less privileged in society.
He disclosed that the donation was on behalf of the second lady, Lordina Mahama, who had adopted the two homes as part of her operational duties in supporting the less endowed.
Mr. Mabengba also indicated that the donation was in fulfillment of pledges she made during her official visit to the two homes in 2009 and expressed hope that the managers would use the items for the intended purpose.
The items included 10 maxi bags of rice, 10 bags of sugar, four gallons of cooking oil, one bale of used clothing and 20 treated mosquito nets estimated at several thousands of Ghana cedis.
He said the donation was meant to make the inmates celebrate Christmas in a grand style as the season was about showing love and care to particularly the less privileged and homeless in society.
Mr. Mabengba commended the caretakers for their contribution towards the upbringing of the inmates and assured them of government’s commitment to improve their conditions of service under the auspices of the Department of Social Welfare.
Augustina Quanu, supervisor of Nyohini Children’s Home and her colleague, Maria Naatogmah, thanked Mrs. Lordina Mahama for the support and promised to use it for the intended purpose.
The Nyohini Children’s Home has 29 inmates while the Anfaani Children’s Home located at Vitting Estate has nine inmates.
In a related development, the chief of Tamale, Naa Mohammed Dakpema Dawuni, has donated 12 wheelchairs to the Tamale Central Hospital.
The donation was part of efforts to boost healthcare delivery within the metropolis. The chief hinted of plans to renovate wards of the hospital.
He appealed to various stakeholders to partner traditional rulers in propelling the development of the metropolis, reiterating his commitment to vigorously pursue development.
The Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Akwasi Twumasi who received the items on behalf of the region, commended the chief for his gesture.
He noted that healthcare delivery in the region was confronted with numerous challenges and lauded the chiefs for their support.
Dr. Twumasi appealed to other organizations to collaborate with his outfit in improving healthcare delivery, announcing that guinea worm was near eradication from the region.
He indicated that persons who reported any incidence of the disease would be rewarded with GH¢50 aimed at completely eradicating the disease from the region.
The Regional Director reports of new cases of the Guinea Worm pandemic had not been reported in the last 7 months, lauding efforts of the control programme.