Dr (Mrs) Gladys Ashitey, Deputy Minister of Health, has appealed to individuals and organisations to complement interventions by the government aimed at promoting the welfare of women and children.

Even though the government was trying to address the needs of vulnerable children and women, "its interventions cannot be said to be enough," she stated.

Dr Ashitey made the appeal, at the 2nd bicycle racing competition organized by ME-WE Ghana, a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) at Denkyira-Wawase in the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District, to raise funds for an orphanage in the area.

She stressed the importance of education and described it as "a powerful vehicle" for development.

The Deputy Minister explained that this was the reason why the government had introduced a number of reforms and incentives to promote education.

Dr Ashitey urged the people to exercise regularly to enjoy its health benefits including the prevention of illness and asked the people to keep their surroundings clean.

The Deputy Minister told the gathering that the Ministry of Health had introduced a new concept, "Creating wealth through health" and commended ME-WE Ghana for its assistance to the orphanage and called on philanthropists, religious bodies and corporate bodies to support the organisation's objective of helping to improve living conditions.

Dr Nii Amaa Ollenu, ME-WE Country Director, said the aim of the competition, was to bring people together to facilitate the implementation of projects of the NGO.

He said the race was also aimed as promoting public education as part of the Road Safety Campaign and stated that within the past five years, ME-WE Ghana had supported projects at Wawase, including the provision of potable water, construction of a toilet and the installation of an oil palm extraction plant.

Mr Agyare Gyasi, Deputy Sports Development Officer, appealed to participate regularly in exercising

Nana Kwaa Onimpa Ababio III, Chief of Wawase, commended the organisation for its assistance to the community and expressed the readiness of the people to assist in projects that it would implement in the area.


Source: GNA