National coronavirus trust fund accumulates GH¢50.6m

The Communication Director of the COVID-19 National Trust Fund, Kwame Bempah Osei-Hweree, has revealed that the Fund, since its establishment, has accumulated the sum of GH¢50.6m in cash.

He also stated that the Fund stocks and distributes food items, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other contributions received in kind.

Speaking to Benjamin Akakpo on Class 91.3 FM’s Executive Breakfast Show on 28 May 2020, Mr Osei-Hweree highlighted that the Fund had been engaged in the receipt of donations and contributions in cash and kind.

“We have about 50.6 million. The contributions and donations are made in cash and kind but in monetary terms, we have 50.6 million,” he said.

He added that the accumulated amount in the Bank of Ghana (BoG) account has not been used yet, pending procurement formalities.

However, items received in kind are being disbursed nationwide, as and when they are received, to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, among other donations, “twelve vehicles have been distributed to laboratories and testing centres across the country, from donations received from automobile corporate bodies” to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Fund was set up to complement the efforts of the government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by providing an avenue to well-meaning individuals, groups or corporate bodies to donate or contribute monies and resources that may be required to combat COVID-19.

The Fund is also designed to support persons engaged in combatting the pandemic (frontliners), as well as needy and vulnerable persons affected and infected by the pandemic.