Ellembelle MP to expand food bank set up in April

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, envisions expanding to six his Food Bank project to strategic parts of the constituency to support needy families facing hunger challenges.

Already, he has set up the Central Food Bank at the district capital, operations beginning in April 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore, forcefully, the inequalities in various communities

During the partial lockdown imposed due to the pandemic, many families were at their wits’ end so much so that some benevolent individuals distributed handouts to enable them to meet their daily challenges.

Perhaps, feeling devastated by the worrying pictures and footages of families struggling to get food during the lockdown, Mr. Armah Kofi Buah set up the food bank – said to be first of its kind in the country – to give respite to the less fortunate.

But the MP intends to expand the Food Bank to other areas in Ellembelle, apart from the district capital.

“Natural disasters are inevitable and they come in all forms. Sometimes it occurs and some victims are not able to get back on their feet. When these disasters hit, often it’s a challenge for the victims to access support. It will marvel you to know that sometimes, some families go for days without food. So, this Food Bank can come in handy during such challenging times.”

He noted: “This is very important. During the lockdown, it was such a struggle, and it was all about food. If we are able to establish such facilities across the district, it will help because it is so crucial that the last thing anyone should worry about is food.

“We need about six of such facilities strategically positioned here in the district in order to reach out to needy families and those in the bracket of vulnerability,” he added.

Speaking at a ceremony organized to receive a donation of food items made to the Food Bank by Adamus Resources Limited, the lawmaker called on his constituents, especially companies operating in the Ellembelle Constituency, to join the campaign against hunger.

“This is a worthy cause, and I believe if any individual or company donates or offers support it will not be in vain,” he appealed.

The food items worth millions of Ghana cedis included 20 bags of Tom Brown, 20 bags of rice, 20 boxes of cooking oil, 10 boxes of canned fish, and one big box of sugar, containing mini-cube boxes among others.

Acting General Manager Adamus Resources Ltd Anthony Nyameky?, who made the presentation of the food items to the Bank on behalf of the company, noted that it was laudable associating with the initiative.

“We are happy to be part of this laudable initiative. We always have the poor, the vulnerable, the disabled, the orphans, widows, they are always with us. It is our hope and prayer that this initiative is sustained,” he added.

The Chief of Ampain and a member of the board for the Food Bank, Nana Nyameke Fofole, explained that since the central Food Bank was established in April 2020, the impact has been very significant.

He assured of fairness in the distribution of the food items, noting that the board would touch base with virtually all vulnerable families in the Constituency who require their support.

“We have taken our time because we don’t want to leave anyone behind, not even a single person. But, sustaining the programme would depend on us. We are all part of the project, so that our needy parents in the various communities would be better of,” he assured.