CEO of As I Grow, Debrah Bekoe, helps some children in some rural communities
One of Ghana’s rural communities’ non-governmental organisations, As I Grow, has appealed to well-meaning Ghanaians and other philanthropists to go the aid of school-going children in deprived communities following the reopening of schools.
The organisation says the Covid-19 situation has put enormous pressure on the government and its resources. He has, therefore, urged Ghanaians not to push all the burden on the Government.
Rural communities at risk
The Chief Executive Officer of As I Grow, Debrah Bekoe, said following the President’s directive for the reopening of schools, a survey conducted by his NGO suggests that about 90 per cent of people in the communities visited, both adults and children, do not have much information about the pandemic and the associated safety protocols.
“This less knowledge on the pandemic in deprived communities in Ghana poses a lot of threat to the lives of the children as schools resume,” Mr Bekoe told the Daily Statesman yesterday.
He stated that most of the communities also do not have access to potable water, forcing the residents to walk for several miles before getting access to a stream or river.
He indicated that the dire situation in the rural communities poses a lot of danger to the inhabitants.
“I know the government has put measures in place but, I think much attention is needed in the hinterlands, especially where the communities are not having potable drinking water, roads and the education on the Covid-19 protocols seems less,” he noted.
Supporting gov’t
As I Grow, since the pandemic struck, has been distributing some Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to people in deprived communities.
According to Mr Debrah, the organisation took that upon itself to support people in deprived communities because it appreciates the fact the government cannot do it alone.
He called on individuals, organisations, philanthropists, NGOs, health institutions, among others, to consider the deprived schools and communities following the reopening of the schools.
