At least 5,000 septuagenarians in the New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern Region benefitted from the ‘Shop and Go’ initiative introduced by the Member of Parliament for the New Juaben South Constituency, Michael Okyere Baafi, over the weekend.
The ‘Shop and Go’ initiative, which began four years ago, aims to support the elderly within the constituency.
The initiative started in 2020 in Koforidua and has been running to date. It is part of the MP’s efforts to bring together the aged community and reunite them.
It also aims to reduce the stress on the very poor septuagenarians in the community.
For this year’s event, the Member of Parliament distributed items including tubers of yam, rice, plantains, cassava, vegetables, fowl, and pieces of clothing.
The beneficiaries were also provided with free health screening.
The legislator expressed that the impact of the initiative has been very positive, as it helps lessen the financial burden on them.
Mr. Michael Okyere Baafi added that he feels a duty and responsibility to share whatever he has with the less privileged in society.
He said the initiative will continue even after he finishes his term as a Member of Parliament.
“I won’t stop the initiative even after serving as a Member of Parliament. I will feel fulfilled doing this on a yearly basis,” Okyere Baafi stated.
Some of the beneficiaries, in an interview with the media, expressed gratitude to the Member of Parliament and wished for the initiative to continue even after his tenure.
They opined that the initiative is the first of its kind in the constituency and affords them the opportunity to reunite with their old friends.