The Ghana Covid-19 Private Sector Fund has dished out more than 60,000 food packs to head porters, popularly known as ‘kayayei’ within six days of the inception of its ‘Feed-a-kayayo’ project.
On the first day of the project on Wednesday April 1, 2020, 6000 hot meal packs were distributed with the number increasingly steadily to 12,500 meals by Monday April 6, 2020.
The Ghana Covid-19 Private Sector Fund is an initiative by private sector entrepreneurs to raise money from their ranks and from the general Ghanaian population to support the campaign to deal largest public health emergency the world has faced in a century – the novel coronavirus.
So far more than 200 Ghanaians have been infected by the virus with five deaths in the country. The fear is that if steps are not taken to slow and then halt the rate of infection in the country, the situation will get out of hand raising the spectre of more deaths and a serious strain on Ghana’s health service delivery system.
Thus the government imposed a lockdown on the areas with the largest confirmed cases – Accra and Kumasi. The lockdown, however, has meant that thousands of head porters who earn daily wages are unable to work to feed themselves. The ‘feed-a-kayayo’ project is therefore meant to alleviate plight of the head porters and ensure that they do not starve during the period of the lockdown.
A Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Madam Julie Essiam, who mooted the idea of the ‘feed-a-kayayo’ project, has so far been very impressed with what it has achieved.
“We are very confident that we will scale up and next week we will still continue so long as the lockdown is in place,” she says. “We all have to eat. Everybody has to have a meal a day.”
Former Youth and Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, who has been volunteering his time to help with the distribution of the hot cooked meals, is urging Ghanaians to support the Ghana Covid-19 Private Sector Fund to make the ‘feed-a-kayayo’ project a success.
“As volunteers from different backgrounds and political groups, we are just helping to support the needy and vulnerable,” he says.
“This is a time for us to show love and solidarity to our fellow countrymen.”
Latest Stories
-
Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Keta and Anloga districts, residents count their losses
20 seconds -
Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin in Ottawa as countries converge on phasing out problematic plastic uses
9 mins -
Support energy alternatives adoption to sustain businesses – GUTA tells government
14 mins -
11th DRIF opens in Accra with a call on governments to focus on digital inclusion
19 mins -
Stakeholders outline plans at RE4C Coalition’s General Assembly in Accra
27 mins -
Women Need ‘shock observers’ for active political participation – Ex-Bauchi Assembly Member
31 mins -
2024 polls: Stop fighting over positions in Mahama’s next government – Asiedu Nketiah
37 mins -
Although people may not always listen to the lyrics, there’s still a market for rap in Ghana – E.L.
42 mins -
Passengers appeal to transport operators to officially announce new fares
52 mins -
Damongo: About 400 NPP Members resign over Minister’s alleged meddling in chieftaincy affairs
1 hour -
Next NDC government will pay special attention to women – Naana Opoku-Agyemang
1 hour -
Amerado is singing and it’s good he’s doing that – Lyrical Joe
2 hours -
NDC government will establish a Women’s Development Bank – Prof Opoku-Agyemang
2 hours -
My selection is an affirmation of your belief in women – Naana Opoku tells Mahama
2 hours -
Our ticket will be a pair of experienced individuals – Mahama assures
2 hours