Cecilia Ayi-Bonte
The National Widows Association (NAPWA) has held its first delegates conference after its inception four years ago.
Membership of NAPWA is made up of persons who lost their spouses whilst in active service, and they include widowers.
Addressing delegates, the President of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO), COP Joseph Boakye-Appiah (retired) said following the exit of NARPO, from the Ghana Government Pensioners Association, the Controller and Accountant General decided to transfer NAPWA to NARPO
“The migration was smoothly completed and police widows have therefore become recognised members of NARPO-GH with full benefits and with representation on the National Executive Council (NEC) and Regional Executive Committee (REC).
He said the leadership of NAPWA has since been embarking on regional tours with the view of identifying and solving problems of its members.
“Problems which are beyond the leadership of NAPWA are always referred to the Functional Executive Committee of NEC for action.
NARPO- GH, which is the umbrella association, has rolled out a number of initiatives for the benefit of its members and this includes medical support, invalid support, octogenarian support, death benefit and welfare loans,” he disclosed.
COP Boakye-Appiah maintained that the National Executive Council (NEC) of NARPO will continue to seek NAPWA’s interest and welfare to ensure the unity and sanctity of the noble association.
In an address, the President of NAPWA, Cecilia Ayi-Bonte said NAPWA was a child of necessity borne out of the need that widows of police officers do not take their widowhood as a licence to turn into beggars.
She outlined plans by NAPWA in establishing a school which would be managed by its members, thus creating job opportunities for members and subsidising cost of education for wards of its members who will be admitted into the school.