The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has presented a cheque of Ghc200,000 and assorted products worth over GHc1,032,000 to support the COVID-19 Fund set up by the government to mobilize logistics to contain the spread of the pandemic in the country.
Presenting the cheque and items on behalf of the Board of Directors, Management, Staff and Cocoa Farmers to the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu, the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo stated that there was a need for all stakeholders to support the fight against the virus which poses a major threat to the survival of the country including all persons within the cocoa value chain.
Mr. Boahen Adioo lauded the government for showing a strong commitment to fighting the disease which has so far affected 152 lives in the country
“Government has shown fortitude, commitment and passion to fight this dangerous disease and it is good we support this worthy gesture”, he added.
The items which included 5,000 litres of alcohol-based sanitizers valued at Ghc150,000 produced by Cocoa Clinic; 5,000 cartons of Royale natural cocoa powder worth over Ghc880,000; 10,000 pieces of liquid soap to be distributed to frontline staff of the Ghana Health Service to keep them safe and reduce their risk of contracting the disease in the course of duty.
“The sanitizers and anti-bacteria liquid soap are to help the frontline Health Professionals to clean their hands regularly adding that regular consumption of the natural cocoa powder by such essential workers will boost their immune system against contracting the pandemic”, he indicated.
Hon Aidoo further said the natural cocoa powder – Royale should be given to all Health Professionalpersons who have tested positive to the disease to consume regularly during their period of quarantine to boost their immune system and speed up the rate of recovery.
“Yes, cocoa contains polyphenols and anti-oxidant properties which help boost the immune system.. I believe in this critical time, when we try this product on the victims, they will recover faster than expected”, he assured.
Mr. Boahen Aidoo further stated that he and his three Deputy Chief Executives will pay 50 percent of their net salary to the Fund for the next three months as part of their personal support towards the eradication of the disease in the country.
Receiving the support on behalf government, the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu was full of appreciation to COCOBOD for the gesture and goodwill and promised they would be put to the intended use.
According to him, the government’s efforts at containing the disease are yielding positive results as so far, 31 of the persons who tested positive to the virus have recovered and have been integrated into society. He urged all Ghanaians to observe the safety measures announced by the government and stay at home to prevent further spread of the disease.
“Do you all see that as we took those bold decisions, the numbers are not rising any further…it means we are containing the situation collectively and let’s sustain the momentum”, he added.
Mr. Agyemang Manu urged all to avoid the tendency of travelling to places such as their villages because of the lockdown as that would cause the disease to spread further.
“Let’s stop community mobility at this time. Stay home and observe all the directives especially social distancing and good personal hygiene and we will get out of this menace victoriously”, he advised.
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