Africa Muslim Agency assists 670 needy families
The Africa Muslim Agency, a non-governmental humanitarian organisation based in Kuwait with offices spread in many African countries, has donated food items worth GH¢146,200 to 760 needy families in the country.
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The donations were made at separate events in Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast and Tamale and had beneficiaries that comprised both Muslims and non-Muslims, each taking home 25 kg of rice, 10 kg of beans, 10 kg of sugar and five litres of cooking oil.
The Ghana Country Director of the agency, Mr Ahmed Sheikh Omar, said the donation underscored the agency’s commitment to assist the underprivileged in society to lead meaningful lives. Through such outreach programmes, he said, the agency also aimed to strengthen faith in Islam by spreading the teachings of the Koran.
“It is necessary that those who are favoured come on board to support those who are in desperate need of assistance by providing for their spiritual and material needs,” he said.
Mr Omar lauded the government’s social intervention initiatives and emphasised the need for other non-state actors to do their best to complement the efforts of government.
“We believe the government alone cannot shoulder the task of improving people’s lives; we need to work together to bring development to the people,” he added.
He said the donation of the items was also part of efforts to lessen the weakening effects of hunger this Ramadan, and was directed chiefly at the aged, widows and the vulnerable.
He added that in support of this year’s Ramadan, the agency was providing evening meals for Muslims at its offices at Madina after prayers to break their fast.
“So far, the agency has distributed about 12,000 bundles of packaged meals to believers of the faith,” he said.
He disclosed further that the agency was not only into the distribution of food items but was also involved in executing development projects, including the building of schools, hospitals, provision of potable water for communities, provision of scholarships for needy students and taking care of orphans.
Over the last couple of months, the agency has constructed both hand and machine operated wells in a number of communities, including Nima and the community of Adenta Lakeside, both in Accra. Other communities that have gained from the provision of wells are Akwatia and Soabe in the Eastern Region.
According to the Country Director of the Africa Muslim Agency, the agency has plans to extend its presence and benevolence to the Volta Region before the year ends.
The Accra Metro Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Ms Marian Mensah, who witnessed the distribution of food items to the needy in Accra, expressed her gratitude to the Agency for assisting the vulnerable, especially the aged.
She disclosed that a number of the beneficiaries were selected from the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme who are living in and around the Jamestown community in Accra Central.
She said her office was open to collaborate with all organisations that were willing to bring development and assistance to the poor.
A beneficiary of the food aid, Mr Daniel Yeboah, expressed his appreciation to the donors and said 'the food items would support my family for more than a month and I thank the Africa Muslim Agency for the help.”
By Jojo Sam/Daily Graphic/Ghana