Gov' presented 102 million worth of items to NGO.

Nsawam (E/R), Oct. 25, GNA -The government, through the assistance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) on Monday presented items worth 102 million cedis to REMAR a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the Akuapem South District at Nsawam. The presentation was in fulfilment of government's promise to support NGO's in the country.

Presenting the items, Mr Thomas Broni, Deputy Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Narcotics Control Board reiterated the preparedness of the government to work with genuine NGO's, especially those in the area of treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts and users. He said the drug problem was so complex and multi-faceted that the government alone could not fight the "war" thus it was a problem that demanded the concerted efforts of all, especially well meaning NGO's.


He therefore, called on all NGO's working in the area of drug abuse to form a network so as to make their work more effective by eliminating wastes and duplications to attract government's assistance.


REMAR is a Christian Charity Organisation, which has been collaborating with the Psychiatric Unit of the Ghana Health and the Narcotics Control Board in the rehabilitation of drug users.


They also recruit orphans and needy children from Social Welfare, some of whom are enrolled in schools and others given skills training. Currently, REMAR has branches at Tema, Nsawam, Accra and Aflao. The Nsawam branch houses about 32 schoolchildren and 46 drug addicts.

Mr. Ouedraogo Baouedewagre, Director of REMAR who received the items on behalf of the organisation appreciated the effort of the government and called on the general public to cultivate the culture of tolerating and changing drug addicts instead of shunning them. One of the rehabilitated drug addicts, who has used drugs for over 15 years said he has realized that medicines could not take one out of drugs, but the fear of God.


The items included 2000 pieces of five inches solid cement blocks, 100 pieces of bed sheets with two pillowcases, 100 pieces of four inches leather covered foam mattresses and 10 pieces of hand butterfly sewing machines.


The rest were 10 pieces of standing hair dryers, 10 pieces of complete water closet, shower rose and fittings and 10 packets of aluminium roofing sheets. 25, Oct. 04