Over a million orphans recorded in Ghana in 2011 - WHO

A report released by the World Health Organisation shows that Ghana recorded a total of 1.1 million orphans in 2011 out of which 160,000 were children who were orphaned by parents who were killed by AIDS.

Speaking at the inauguration of Passion for Needy, an NGO on Thursday, Dr Barima Amissah Afranie, Head of Department, Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Ghana, said the report also indicated that there were 260,000.00 people living with AIDS in Ghana as at 2011 with a prevalence rate of 1.8 percent.

Passion for Needy which is a non charitable organization was established in Ghana in August 2009 by the Prophet TB Joshua, Founder of the Synagogue Church of all Nation (SCOAN).

Dr Amissah appealed to government to put in place the needed policies to ensure that the needs of orphans and the underprivileged in the society were adequately addressed.

Mr. Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways, who was the Guest of Honour, expressed his appreciation to Prophet TB Joshua for his numerous assistance to the needy in the country hence the establishment of the NGO.

He pledged his support towards the activities of the NGO and presented a cheque for GH?5,000.00 saying “I hope to donate an extra GH?5, 000.00 towards the activities of this organization by the end of the year” and called on all well meaning Ghanaians to support the NGO since its main aim was to support the needy in the society.

Mrs Janet Torgbor El-Aschker, Chairwoman of Passion for Needy said the NGO was established with the main aim of supporting the needy and the aged in the society regardless of ethnic or religious background.

She expressed her appreciation to Prophet TB Joshua for his vision and for providing the seed money for the establishment of the organization in 2009.

She said the organization was willing to undertake programmes in association with other organizations of similar aims to achieve its objectives.

“Assisting the aged, street children HIV/AIDS victims, orphans, the physically challenged, the widowed and brilliant but needy children are aims,” she said.

Some of the activities undertaken by the NGO before the inauguration include donation to Frafraha and Teshie Orphanages, payment of hospitals bills of patients at Korle Bu and Ridge Hospitals, and the registration of some underprivileged people in Accra with the NHIS.

The occasion was also used to launch the organisation’s website which was www.passionforneedygh.org or www.passionforneedy.com .**