AGI donates cash and items to COVID-19 Trust Fund

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has donated cash and items totalling GHC500,000.00 to the COVID-19 Trust Fund.

The donation include cash of GHC150,000.00 and items, including PPE, beverages, provisions, water and oxygen worth GHC350,000.00

The AGI says the move was in response to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's call for support in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 in Ghana.

The presentation was done at the press briefing on the update of COVID-19 by the Ministry of Information.

At the presentation, the President of the Association, Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi, commended Government for focusing efforts on containing the pandemic and working hard to reduce the rate of spread of the virus in the country.

Making reference to the negative impact of COVID-19, he said "within two weeks, we have all been hit by the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 in diverse ways. Indeed, this pandemic and its attendant actions such as the lockdown have really affected businesses and created interruption in manufacturing activities in Ghana.

He continued that "It is for this reason we appreciate with admiration the government's timely strategy and intervention to alleviate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic on citizens and industry in Ghana.

He said the engagement of local manufacturers to produce GHc3.6million worth of face masks; GHc600 million soft loans for SMEs and the extension of due dates for filling of taxes from 4 months to 6 months after of the basis year by GRA; among others will go a long way to help reduce the negative impact on businesses

Dr. Adu Gyamfi stated further that "we acknowledge the engagement so far with AGI in developing these measures and we anxiously look forward to further engaging with Government on the modalities for effective implementation of these lifeline packages.

"He indicated that other areas of tax relief are also important and AGI will take these up with government in subsequent discussions.

"I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our gallant members who have been very supportive of government in these difficulties times."

He said many AGI member companies had on their own made separate donations to the fund.

"In addition, AGI has mobilized cash and items from Danadams Pharmaceuticals, Tropical Cable and Conductors, Samartex, Nestle Ghana Limited, Fanmilk, Duraplast, Voltic, Berock Ventures, Afariwaa Estates, Asadtek Group, Redmoon Ventures, Ghana Timber Millers Organisation, GOIL, Merricom Solutions, M&G Pharmaceuticals, Sleek Garments, FC Perfumery Polytank, IPMC, Sid Cosmetics, Crocodile Matchets, OsAfric Ltd., Lion Aluminium, Kane-Em Industries, and Metalex Ltd.

Other donors include Fay International Limited, Worchar Agrow Processing Limited, DT Engineering, Debbies Limited, Voltic, Lexta Co., Qualiplast, Gandour Cosmetics, M & G Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacare and Nobel Industries, Accra Brewery.

He said the AGI was considering another round of mobilisation and urge members to continue making their contributions to AGI and be part of the next presentation.

"We also commend all Ghanaian health workers, security and other front line persons putting their lives on the line to save others," the AGI said.