TLF Poised To Beef up Nationwide Educational Campaign on Ebola

The Light Foundation(TLF), a non-governmental Organization into humanitarian work, guided by the teaching of Islam has embarked on a two years nationwide campaign project aimed at stopping at nothing in their quest to getting 20 million Ghanaians sensitized against the deadly Ebola Viral Disease.

The 2 years campaign which was launched five weeks ago in Accra has registered a significant achievement in six regions namely Greater Accra, Western, Eastern, Central, Tamale and Upper East Region.

Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Wednesday, Project Coordinator of the Light Foundation, Hawa Suleimana recounted the achievements of the project however, maintained there is the need to intensify education on the Ebola Viral Disease across the entire nation since most Ghanaians lack adequate knowledge on the disease for that matter her team of able bodied young men and women will leave no stone unturned to achieve results.

She announced to newsmen that under phase two of the project, the foundation will employ the methodology of series of creative and strategic approaches with much priority on high risk zones and border areas like Elubo, Aflao, Paga and Tamale.

“We shall endeavor to step up efforts in embarking on critical sensitization exercise around those “risky zones” where the unscrupulous Okada drivers ply” she stressed.

While recounting on the success chalked by the foundation so far since the launch of the project in five weeks ago, she lamented the corrupt attitude of some motor riders popularly known as “Okada drivers” in transporting illegal immigrants through unapproved entry routes around the boarders of Elubo, Aflao, Paga and Tamale into the country. She said “I believe we are all aware of the danger we face as a nation out of the attitude of these “Okada drivers due to lack of knowledge therefore, we are taking this campaign exercise seriously to avert them through vigorous education campaign on Ebola” she hinted.

Other methods she highlighted as the team’s modus operandi was getting the Okada drivers understand the signs and symptoms, causes, prevention and the modes of transmission of the Ebola disease and inspiring them to practice good personal hygiene as well as frequent hand washing with soap and water.

In addition, the team will also secure and distribute appreciable number of Personal Protective Equipment to Health Practitioners and immigration officers across the country. This includes Gowns, respirators, Goggle’s, Examination Gloves, Surgical Gloves and Mattresses for isolation and treatment in case of any eventuality.

Director of Gliss, Alhaji Mohamed Baba Alhassan in his speech appealed to Government to help intensify education on Ebola Viral Disease in rural areas.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS

As part of effort to stop Ebola Viral Disease from entering into Ghana, The Light Foundation has made some strides so far. Below is the list of achievements released copied to the press.

Active campaign in six regions namely Greater Accra, Western, Eastern, Central, Tamale and Upper East Region.

Printed and distributed over 65,000 copies of educational materials (fliers, posters) in six regions name Greater Accra, Western, Eastern, Central, Tamale and Upper East.

Sensitized Okada drivers in boarder areas on the need to avoid transporting illegal immigrants through unapproved entry routes. This involved education and distribution of soaps and materials. Border areas visited were Elubo and Paga.

Secured and distributed hundreds of soaps and hand sanitizers to communities.

Educational campaign in selected communities.(Abura,Abra market women association, Dress makers association, Cape Coast,Brofu Yedru, Takoradi Market Centre, UCC fish farmers association.

Invited health expertsto render education in Churches and Mosques with not less than one thousand congregants. For example in Accra, Asuma Banda Mosque,Cantoment Mosque,Tema-Global haulage mosque Tamale,Alfa Jura Mosque, Manhaliyah Central Mosque,Tamale Central Mosque ,SDA church, Tamale, the Apostles continuation Church International, Annual Regional Women’s fellowship convention, Kawokudi, Accra.

Transcribe hundreds of Ebola educational materials into brail for students of Akropong School for the blind.

Tasked sign language interpreters to explain the causes, symptoms,mode of contraction and mode of prevention of Ebola Viral disease to students of Mampong school of deaf.

Extended educational campaign to traditional festival grounds – Damba 2014 at kawokudi.

Designed radio promo on Ebola in English and five local languages,Akan,Dagbali,Ewe,Hausa,Ga and Educational Campaign programme with Hajj Maryam adult and children Islamic School which over thousand five hundred students benefited.

The Light foundation endeavors to tackle poverty and its causes by developing innovative and sustainable solutions that enable individuals and their communities live with dignity.

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