Sefwi-Wiawso(WN/R),December 17, GNA-Rainforest Alliance, a non-governmental organization with support from European Union(EU) has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to four health directorates to be distributed to health facilities in the fight against COVID-19 in the Western North Region.

The items included, 100 bottles of hand sanitizers,150 plastic Aprons,200 face shields,150 gallons of liquid soap and 1,200 boxes of face masks,60 pieces of infrared thermometers,300 bundles of tissue paper,100 disposable gowns,6000 headgears and 80 gown boots among others.

The four beneficially health directorates are Bibiani- Anhwiaso- Bekwai,Sefwi-Wiawso,Bodi and Akontombra Districts.

As part of the programme, free health screening was held for over 1,500 farmers drawn from five selected communities from the beneficiary Districts.

Mr Kwadwo Nti Baniako,Manager, in charge of Landscape and Community, said the donation and free health screening formed part of the Landscape and Environmental Agility across the Nation (LEAN) Project, under the Theme “Healthy People,Healthy landscape”.

He said the organization prioritized the health needs of farmers hence the need for the health screening exercise to identify if any of them had underlying health conditions especially in respect to the new Omicron variant.

He urged farmers to eat more fruits and vegetables and avoid self-medication and frequently seek medical care.

Mr Baniako lauded the Forestry Commission’s Green Ghana initiative and indicated that Rainforest Alliance had given 9,100 tree seedlings to farmers in Wiawso, Bibiani- Anhwiaso- Bekwai, Bodi and Akontombra Districts to be planted in their farms and degraded areas.

He advised farmers to plant more trees, adding that the organization would assist farmers to register such trees in order to own them in future.

Mr Baniako called on other organizations and the private sector to come on board to support farmers in the area so as to help protect the country’s forest and other natural resources.

Dr Francis Boakye Takyi, Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal Health Director on behalf of the Ghana Health Service commended Rainforest Alliance for the donation, adding that. the items would go along way to help in the fight against COVID-19 especially the new Omicron variant.

He pledged judicious use of the items and appealed to other organizations to emulate Rainforest Alliance.

Source: Ghana News Agency