former President John Mahama has donated some food items to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, to support the Manhyia Palace Humanitarian project which is feeding vulnerable persons hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) partial lockdown.
Among the items donated to the Manhyia Palace were 300 bags of rice, 1,500 bottles of cooking oil and 3,000 cans of mackerel.
The donation from the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is to help struggling families to adhere to the government’s directive of staying home in order to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
The donation was done on behalf of the former President by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC Augustus Andrew Nana Akwasi.
He was accompanied by the former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Professor Ohene Adjei, Secretary of the NDC, Ashanti Region, Kwame Zu, and former MCE of Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly, Nuredeen Hamidan.
Addressing the media after the donation, Mr. Nana Kwasi said the situation faced by many breadwinners in homes across the areas affected by the partial lockdown and beyond is dire.
“Many are either unable to go about their income-generating activities, or their workplaces have shut down as a result of the lockdown or the pandemic, therefore, our leader and flagbearer John Mahama has noticed the great work of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II COVID-19 humanitarian project ongoing which targets the vulnerable communities. So Nananom, we are here this morning to present these food items to support your effort on behalf of the former President John Dramani Mahama”, he noted.
He also said overcrowding at the various food distribution centres defeats the purpose of the social distancing protocol which is key in preventing the spread of the coronavirus which has so far killed eight out of the six hundred and forty-one confirmed cases in the country.
“We know many are struggling to survive in the partial lockdown situation, therefore, may rush to food distribution centres whenever they hear the food is in for distribution. Please let us make sure we observe the COVID-19 protocols, especially, social distancing for our safety,” he pleaded.
The Otumfuo’s linguist, Baffour Kantakrakyi, who received the food items on behalf of the Asantehene, commended the former President for his numerous supports towards the national fight against the coronavirus disease across the country.
He said “Otumfuo is very grateful to you for your support, we are feeding vulnerable communities in greater Kumasi between today and tomorrow and will distribute all to our people in the worse affected underprepared areas. The fight against COVID-19 must be supported by all devoid of party politics. The virus knows not political colours, therefore, let’s fight it with united front as one nation, one people, with common priority”, he stressed.
The NDC team after the donation exercise in Manhyia, proceeded to the Kumasi Central Mosque where they presented some food items also on behalf of the former President, John Dramani Mahama, to the Council of Zongo Chiefs for them to be shared among the unprivileged persons in the various Zongo communities in Greater Kumasi.
The Islamic clerics received 100 bags of rice, 500 bottles of oil and 1,000 cans of Mackerel.