Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has, on behalf of the Government and Ghanaians, presented a humanitarian donation worth GHS10 million to conflict-ridden Sudan and hurricane-hit Jamaica and Cuba. The donation aims to provide relief to these regions affected by natural disasters and conflict.
According to Ghana News Agency, the humanitarian items will be distributed in the ratio of 50 percent to Jamaica, 30 percent to Cuba, and 20 percent to Sudan. The items consist of 2,400 bags of Ghana rice, 540 bags of sugar, 377 boxes of medication, 500 mattresses, 500 pillows, 100 cartons of gari mix, and 50,000 pieces of t-shirts. Additionally, the donation includes three 20-foot containers of chocolate products, 20 pieces of 500-liter water tanks, 20 pieces of hand wash stations, 10 pieces of emergency portal toilets, and assorted clothes.
President Mahama, in his address during the presentation of the donation at the Presidency in Accra, highlighted the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events due to climate change. He noted that for the Caribbean region, such events have become frequent, citing Hurricane Melissa as an example. The hurricane, which made landfall on October 28th as a category five storm, caused significant devastation in Jamaica and continued its impact on Cuba.
The President emphasized that hundreds of lives have been lost, with more individuals unaccounted for, and the property damage is expected to run into billions of dollars. He stated that the donation was a token of Ghana's solidarity, respect, and fraternity with the three affected countries, symbolizing friendship and goodwill during challenging times.
President Mahama also expressed gratitude to Ghanaian and international businesses, as well as individuals, who contributed to the donation. These contributors include Latex Foam, Ash Form, MTN, Farm Masters Global, Twelion Company, Dignity DTRR Apparel, Pharmanova Ghana, and Atlantic Liifesciences Ltd. Additional contributors are Mancwa Commodities Ltd, Duraplast Ltd, Terraprime Group Ghana Ltd, Mid Atlantic Group, Cocobod, Cocoa Processing Company, and businessman Mr. Ibrahim Mahama.
Mr. Lincoln George Downer, the High Commissioner of Jamaica to Ghana, conveyed gratitude on behalf of the three countries to President Mahama, the Government, and the People of Ghana for their kind gesture. He mentioned that Hurricane Melissa left widespread devastation across Jamaica, and national reconstruction efforts are currently underway.