By
Eunice Hilda Ampomah, GNA
Awutu-Bawjiase
(C/R), Feb.24, GNA-Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso I, the President of the Ghana
National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), has said philanthropic works
should rather boost businesses and not collapse them.
When funds are set
aside to support the poor, needy and vulnerable in the society, without drawing
money from one’s capital, he said it was not possible for a business to
collapse as a result of the generosity.
“It’s about
planning. Just as I take care of my family, it’s the same way I see those I
support as another family. I have created a separate bank account that I
allocate part of my salary to for this charitable works,” he said.
He said he believed
generosity to the needy and marginalised, rather enhanced the growth of
businesses as the giver received more blessings.
Nana Dankawoso, was
speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency over the support he had
constantly given to the Kumasi Central and Nsawam Prisons, Countryside
Children’s Welfare Home in Awutu-Bawjiase, and more than 500 widows for over 13
years.
He had over the
weekend donated assorted items such as rice, sugar, tomato paste, mackerel,
toiletries, toothpaste and brushes, washing and bathing soap, detergents, and
clothing worth GH¢15,000.00 with a cash amount of GH¢5,000.00 to the Children’s
Home.
He also organised a
buffet party, dancing competition, and other fun activities for the children of
the home and shared African print cloth to the foster parents.
Nana Dankawoso said
the support started when he had a dream, where he was directed to support
orphans, widows and prisoners.
Adhering to the
direction, he stated, gave the children and widows hope that though their
parents or husbands were not alive, God had called others to go to their aid.
“For me, giving to
the needy has been my passion. Coming from a humble beginning and poor background,
this is the least I can do to show appreciation to God. So I take care of
others and God takes care of me,” he said.
Nana Ama Serwaa
Ampem II, Tufuhemaa of Akwamu Tradition Area, Akosombo, said children are the
future of the world, therefore a contribution to their lives brought enormous
blessings.
“As Nana does this
every year, he called on us to come and support him, and we came with all
gladness because we believe in generosity,” she said.
She appealed to all
to visit needy institutions or groups at least once a year to offer them
support.
“It doesn’t
necessarily have to be money so you shouldn’t be deterred from visiting them
when you don’t have enough. It can be your presence when you go to spend a
weekend with the children to make them happy or you go to see how they are
being treated or handled,” she added.
Madam Rose Apenteng,
the mother of Nana Dankawoso and a donor to the Home, said she learnt the Home
did not have pipe-borne water, so she expressed her preparedness to help to
construct one for the home.
The Countryside
Children’s Welfare Home is a privately owned home with over 100 inmates in
Awutu-Bawjiase, Central Region.
It has
accommodation, sporting and educational facilities for the inmates up to the
Junior High School.
GNA