COVID-19 Mitigation: China donates PPE to orphanage homes

The Chinese Embassy, in collaboration with the Chinese Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Ghana, on Tuesday donated personal protective equipment to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to be distributed to orphanage homes.

The items valued at GH¢50,000.00 comprise 1,200 bottles of hand sanitizer, 16,000 pieces of baby wipes, 6,800 pieces of baby diapers, 3,000 medical-used face masks, 2,520 bars of soap, and 1,200 pieces of toilet roll.

Mr Shi Ting Wang, the Ambassador, said COVID-19 has had great effects on everyone, including vulnerable children deprived of parental care.

To ease the challenge and enormous pressure faced by orphanage homes and foster families during the period of the pandemic, the Embassy, he said, though it right to support them to protect the children against contracting the respiratory disease.

“Children are the future, children are the hope and children are the inheritors of the friendship between our two countries. The Chinese Embassy prioritises the work of children and although the supplies we brought today are limited, our love is limitless,” he said.

Ambassador Wang said the virus was no respecter of borders and the destiny of all countries had been unprecedentedly linked together, therefore it was only necessary for them to work hand in hand to get over the pandemic.

China, he said, is the first country to send medical supplies by chartered flights to Africa, adding that the country at all levels, including government, companies, business community, and individuals, is working together to render help to Ghana and other African countries in various ways.

“Although China’s domestic epidemic situation is still a challenge and the anti-epidemic materials are in short supply, we would like to do whatever we can to support Africa,” he said.

Mr Wang said 2020 marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ghana, and called on the two countries to work together in unity to overcome the COVID-19 canker to create a better future for their children.

Mrs Cynthia Mamle Morrison, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, who received the items on behalf of the orphanage and children’s homes, expressed appreciation to the Embassy and gave the assurance to distribute the items to the much needy homes, so that they could achieve their intended purpose.

She said she was content with the development of the cooperation between Ghana and China and expressed the hope that the relationship is maintained and strengthened for better outcomes.

She also assured the Embassy that Ghana would strengthen her ties with China and other countries to jointly fight the pandemic and make the world a better and safer place for children.