Kwabre citizens in the UK and Ireland have over the last five years spent over 40 thousand Pound Steeling (about 180 million cedis) on hospital equipment for the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
As part of their efforts to help raise standards at the hospital the citizens have also adopted the ward 2B of the hospital. An extra amount of about 6 thousand pounds has so far been spent of the refurbishing of the ward.
The chairman of the Kwabre Kroye kuo of UK and Ireland Mr. Henry Aidoo disclosed this at the annual fundraising dinner dance in London in aid of the Kumasi Children’s home. The occasion also coincided with 20th anniversary of the founding of the association.
The Kwabre Kroye Kou in the UK and Ireland is an association of citizens of the Kwabre Traditional area of the Ashanti region with over 500 members. There are other Ghanaians as well as foreigners who have joined due to the relieve welfare facilities extended to members. Though it aims at development in Ghana and in the Ashanti Region in particular, the association has elaborate relieve and care facilities for members in times of need.
He said the association has compassion for the needy in society especially the orphans and the jobless youth in Ghana and has therefore developed a scheme to assist such people. For a start, Mr Aidoo noted, a cash amount and clothing have been sent to the Kumasi Children's home to ensure the security and comfort of the inmates and staff.
The chairman noted when the project being embarked at the Kumasi Children’s Home proves successful, it will then be extended to the Osu children's home as well as other needy institutions.
On welfare of members expressed satisfaction that nearly 30 thousand pounds has been spent on the welfare of members who have problems in the search for job, accommodation and those with illness. He stated that the corpse of four members who passed away were flown home at the expense of the association.. He praised the members of their loyalty and commitment to the association, which he noted has yielded much fruits for the people back home.
The Deputy Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK Mr. Baah Duodu urged Ghanaian associations in the UK to emulate the shining example of the Kwabre group. He renewed the High Commission’s appealed to Ghanaians in the UK and Ireland in support of the newly lunched project to keep up the Ghana Police Service. He observed that when facilities of the police in Ghana are improved, crime wave will drastically be minimised thus paving the way for a more peaceful and prosperous country.
He announced that a committee of representatives of the Ghanaian community in the UK will soon be put in place to manage the fund to ensure that it is used judiciously. The Ghana High Commission recently launched the five-pound-no-balance police aid fund to help provide facilities for the Ghana Police.
A founding member of the association Nana Bona who is returning home after 40 year stay in the UK was honoured at the function.
