Out of the GHȼ62,329,941.98 received as donations from the Covid Trust Fund, which was set up in 2020, GH¢53,230,805.37 has been disbursed into various activities.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Her Ladyship Justice (Rtd) Sophie A.B. Akuffo, disclosed this at a news conference organised by the Ministry of Information yesterday.
According to her, her outfit has only GH¢9,099,136.61 left and has, therefore, appealed for more donations from all and sundry to support the fund.
Expatiating on the projects undertaken by the Fund, she stated that from April to December 2020, the Fund Procured Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) at the cost of GH¢10,257,360.00 for distribution to Ghana Health Service, which benefitted 56 Regional, Municipal and District hospitals, as well as COVID-19 Care Management Centres, Isolation Centres, 8 Testing Centres and 126 CHPS compounds.
The Chairperson for the Covid Trust Fund added that they “contributed GH¢6,801,840.00 to Ghana COVID-19 Private Sector Fund (GCPSF) for construction of 100-bed National Infectious Disease Centre at the Ga East Municipal Hospital in the Greater Accra Region. The laboratory and a ward were named after the National Trust Fund, in recognition of its contribution”.
She continued that the Fund also supported the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to procure needed logistics such as 50 PA systems, 10 Cross Country Pick-up vehicles, 14 Laptops for Regional and District offices and to undertake repairs to 70 existing vehicles in their pool (GH¢2,500,000.00), with an objective to heighten public education and awareness of the pandemic and its prevention. Pantang Hospital also received GH¢806,600.00 to rehabilitate and equip Isolation Centre in addition to a Ventilator worth US$30,000.00.
“Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and Ghana Health Service (GHS) got GH¢5,570,882.00 for purchase of reagents and other laboratory supplies, Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture: GH¢1,984,200.00 for purchase of reagents and other laboratory supplies,” she added.
Still on the 2020 projects, Madam Sophie A.B Akuffo said an amount GH¢8,000,000.00 was given to the Nationwide Re-opening of Educational Institutions Coordinating Committee to support Tertiary Institutions to purchase PPE, Veronica buckets and other related items.
Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Legon, had GH¢297,920.00 to conduct national survey on impact of Coronavirus pandemic on households in Ghana.
Also, the Judicial Service was given GH¢815,400.00 to procure PPEs for its courts and offices across the country and the Bono Regional Coordinating Council given GH¢210,030.00 to resource the Council to settle bills relating to the mandatory quarantine in Sunyani of a group of 42 Ghanaian deportees from Côte d’Ivoire.
According to her, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission was also given GH¢47,718.00 for construction of a holding unit to equip the gamma irradiation facility to fully manage the processing and sterilization of PPE across the country.
“InGenius Africa Ltd also given GH¢200,000.00 to support the broadcast of “Corona Life”, an educational television, web (social media) and radio series on the COVID-19 pandemic (emphasizing the observance of protocols, etc.) National Commission on Culture (NCC) – GH¢646,000.00 to support a nationwide public education and sensitization campaign on the prevention of and protection against COVID-19: Phase 1” .
Healthcare Federation Ghana in collaboration with Medlab Services Ghana Ltd, according to the Chairperson also received GH¢114,200.00 for development of COVID-19 Laboratory Information System (LIS) at Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research for public testing laboratories.
Meanwhile, the ARB-Apex Bank received GH¢3,963,500.00 to disburse funds (GH¢500.00 each) to 7,927 identified poor and vulnerable persons, across the country, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
From January to December 2021, the committee gave GH¢1,000,000.00 to the Police Hospital for procurement of PPE for 11 clinics across the country. The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine received GH¢624,656.12 to conduct research into the prevalence and nature of the COVID-19 virus in the country.
“National Commission on Culture (NCC), received GH¢525,250.00 to promote nationwide public education and sensitization campaign on prevention of and protection against COVID-19. This was the second such donation made to NCC.
“The Greater Accra Regional Hospital (formerly Ridge Hospital) who received GH¢314,032.62 was used in laying of pipeline to connect the hospital’s oxygen plant to its COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit and Holding Bay. The pipeline was commissioned on 15 July, 2021,” she added.
The Chairman of the Fund, again stated that the InGenius Africa Ltd. received a second donation of GH¢221,500.00 for the production and broadcast of sequel to the “Corona Life” series with its educational messages on the COVID-19 pandemic and a strong focus on vaccination.
“Ebeye Yie Foundation – conduct of training programme to educate hearing impaired persons about COVID-19 prevention and safety protocols; and about the COVID-19 vaccine (GH¢227,104.00).
“National Union of Ghana Students – support for organization of National Leadership training on post COVID-19; and New Education Paradigm to develop Globally Competitive Youth (GH¢40,000.00).
“PROJECT Settlement of hospital bill of a deceased patient whose family was unable to cover ancillary costs related to treatment (GH¢4,223.00). Purchase of PPE and related items for distribution to approximately 20 health facilities as well as over 100 CHPS compounds (GH¢2,041,000.00),”the Chairperson of the Committee again stated.
From January to June 2022, the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital received GHȻ552,889.93 from the Covid Trust Fund to rehabilitate and equip its COVID-19 Treatment Centre, which was damaged by flood waters in October 2021, she added.
The Chairperson emphasized that “National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) – GHȻ532,700.00 for Stay Alive Road Safety campaign and promotion for uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong – Akuapem: GHȻ1,800,037.00 to support research and development of herbal alternatives for the treatment of coronavirus disease.” All these three (3) activities, she disclosed, are currently on-going.
The Committee also distributed a variety of PPE and other relief items such as nose masks, liquid soap, hand sanitizer, disposable bedsheets, tissue rolls, etc. to tidal wave victims of Keta, Ada and Kokrobite and also to Tarkwa Municipal Hospital, Bogoso Health Centre, Apinto Hospital, Inner City Clinic, Wassa Akropong Government Hospital and Displaced Persons Camps in the Western Region managing survivors of the Apaitse explosion.
The committee, expressed great pleasure and appreciation to all those who donated to help them carry out their mandates and achievements.
