President John Dramani Mahama has donated humanitarian relief items valued at GH¢10 million to three countries — Sudan, Jamaica, and Cuba — in a gesture of international solidarity and compassion.
The items include 2,400 bags of locally produced rice, 540 bags of sugar, 377 boxes of assorted medication, 1,500 mattresses, 500 pillows, 100 cartons of fortified “Gari Mix,” 50,000 T-shirts, three 20-foot containers of cocoa products, 20 water storage tanks, 20 handwashing stations, 10 portable toilets, and assorted clothing.
Speaking during a brief ceremony at the Jubilee House on Thursday, November 6, President Mahama explained that Ghana’s support was part of the country’s long-standing tradition of extending help to nations in distress.
“We all know that as a result of climate change, extreme weather events are becoming very common. And for the Caribbeans and what we call the West Indies, hurricanes and such events have become like the game of Russian roulette.”
The President expressed deep concern over the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica and Cuba as a category five storm on October 28.
“Hundreds of people have lost their lives and are still counting. There are other people who are missing, who have not been accounted for,” he said.
He also drew attention to the worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan, describing it as “the forgotten war” amid the global focus on conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Mahama said Ghana’s gesture, though modest, reflects the spirit of solidarity that defines the country’s foreign policy.
“Even though Ghana’s contribution would not resolve the humanitarian suffering that is going on, we believe that if every country contributes its quota, we can help to alleviate what is happening in these places,” he said.
According to the President, 50% of the items will be distributed to African countries through the Red Cross, 30% will go to Cuba, and 20% to Sudanese refugee camps managed by the International Red Cross.
He expressed gratitude to Ghanaian and foreign businesses that contributed to the initiative.
He concluded, “We appealed to the private sector, businesspeople, and they really came up. All these products have been donated by Ghanaian businesspeople and foreign businesses. And so, I want to, on behalf of government, say a big thank you to them for this very humanitarian gesture that they have done.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
