As part of measures to ensure the successful fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the Effia-Kwesimintim Municipal Assembly (EKMA), the Pentecost International Worship Center (PIWC) in Takoradi, of the Church of Pentecost (COP) has distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to market women in the Municipality.
The items mainly alcohol-based hand sanitizers and locally made face masks numbering about one thousand were distributed to market women at the Effiakuma Market and the newly created Jubilee Market.
Speaking at the presentation, Reverend Daniel Okyei Boakye, Resident Pastor of the church, said the donation forms part of the church’s social responsibility and to also encourage the women to adhere to good personal hygiene principles, especially in public places as directed by President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
He called on all residents in the Metropolis and the region to abide by all the directives issued by both the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the government to curtail the spread of the virus so that things would be normalized in the country.
Rev Boakye urged the market women to put their trust in God who gives true protection and believe in His Son Jesus Christ in whom there is redemption.
Elder William Kweku Takyi, Presiding Elder of the church said with concern that social distancing have been neglected by the market women coupled with inadequate Veronica buckets for hand washing in the market and urged them to keep to the protocols.
According to him, the protocols which include regular handwashing with soap under running water, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoiding handshaking, social distancing and avoiding overcrowded places were the surest way to control the spread of the virus.
Mr Philip Evans Nyarko, Assemblymember for the Effia Electoral Area who received the items on behalf of the women and led the distribution, commended the church for the support and promised to encourage the women to use the items in order to help stem the spread of the disease.