Vision FM, a radio station operating from Dome, a suburb of Accra, on Monday donated GH¢8,000 to a couple, Mr and Mrs. Akrasi and their five children who escaped from Boko Haram raids in Nigeria late last month.
The Director of Finance and Administration of the station, Mr. Enoch Frimpong, in a statement prior to the presentation of the amount, said the donation was part of the company’s corporate social responsibilities to support the vulnerable in society.
The Programmes Manager for Vision FM, Yaw Sarfo, explained that the Network was moved by the plight of the escapees who arrived in the country in tattered clothing and looking miserable.
Senior staff of Vision FM presenting the cash
He continued that the Network contacted one Sgt.Aframe Gebrain and Lance Corporal Adage in Nigeria who confirmed the case as being true.
Mr. Yaw Sarfo, who is also the host of ‘Ghana Be Ye Yie’ a popular breakfast show programme of the Vision FM, explained that an appeal was made to listeners to make donations towards the upkeep of the family.
He expressed satisfaction that listeners responded to the call and mentioned particularly among the donors, Chairman of Heart of Lions Football Club, Victor Ahiagbo and Dr. Kwame Kyei of Unity Group of Companies, donating GH¢2,000 each while a lady who did not want her identity known, donated a flat to house the escapees.
The Ag. CEO of Vision Network, Enoch Frimpong gave the assurance that the Network would do periodic checks on members of the family to ensure that they are properly settled and the children well taken care of.
Mr. Enoch Frimpong further appealed to listeners and corporate institutions to help save the life of one of the children (Ebenezer) who suffered severe injuries during the struggle to get out of Nigeria.
Portia Akrasi, 30-year-old mother of five, told DAILY GUIDE that they lived in Maiduguri in Nigeria where they operated a bakery.
She continued that towards the end of January this year, they heard gunshots at about 1am in a military barrack located close to where they were staying.
According to her, within a short period the exchange of fire between government forces and the Islamic militants (boko haram) became intensified.
Portia indicated that residents in the community decided to escape to save their lives as the insurgents had overpowered the military.
The distraught lady asserted that she drew her five children to herself and followed the crowd into the bush, wandering through terrains she knew nothing about.
She further said at a point her husband contracted a motor rider to assist but did not understand why the rider abandoned them to their fate midway through the journey.
Portia said for three days she fed her five children – Benedict, 8 years old; Ebenezer, 6; Emmanuel, 4; Precious, 2 and Grace, 5 months old – on breast milk since there was no food.
Shedding tears, the woman appealed to the public to help her provide the needed medical support for Emmanuel, who is currently paralyzed.
She posited, ‘This is where destiny has brought us, though we had made it in Nigeria; today we beg before we eat and at times no food at all.’
By Solomon Ofori
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