In a swift and highly transparent relief effort, the Member of Parliament for Akatsi South and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has spearheaded the distribution of over 1,700 bags of cement and 80 bundles of roofing sheets to victims of a devastating rainstorm that displaced more than 400 households in the constituency.
Hon. Ahiafor, recounting his immediate response upon hearing of the disaster while abroad, explained that he mobilized 30 bundles of roofing sheets before setting foot back in Ghana. “The moment I landed, I didn’t even go home first. I dropped my bags and came straight to the constituency to assess the damage,” he narrated.
Moved by the widespread destruction, which left many families homeless and several school structures damaged, Mr. Ahiafor contacted partners and philanthropists to amplify the support. His appeals led to the remarkable donation of 1,700 bags of cement through Gacem Cement and an additional 50 bundles of roofing sheets from philanthropist Anthony Eid Saud.
The donations were officially received by the Akatsi South NDC Chairman, Mr. Anthony Owusu, and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Daniel Dagba, on behalf of the victims and affected schools.
“This intervention is timely and a huge relief to our suffering people,” said Mr. Owusu. “We are grateful to the MP, Gacem Cement, and Mr. Eid Saud for responding quickly to our plight.”
Hon. Ahiafor emphasized that the distribution of the relief items would be carried out with strict transparency and fairness, in line with the principles of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He assured the people that every donation received would reach the affected victims directly.
“Our party is built on transparency, probity, and accountability,” he stated. “Each time we get a relief item, we organize and distribute it openly. Today, I’m announcing to the entire nation that the donation we have from Gacem Cement and Mr. Anthony Eid Saud is here, and distribution has started.”
He further disclosed that educational institutions severely affected by the storm were being prioritized to ensure that students could quickly return to safe classrooms. For instance, 200 bags of the donated cement are being directed toward the reconstruction of a school fence wall that collapsed during the storm.
However, despite the significant support, many residents expressed that the damage caused by the storm was extensive and called for more help from organizations, individuals, and philanthropists to complement the efforts initiated by the MP.
“Some families lost entire homes,” lamented one resident. “We are very grateful for this relief, but we still need more assistance to rebuild our lives.”
Mr. Ahiafor called on anyone willing to assist to contact him directly or reach out through Mr. Anthony Owusu or Hon. Daniel Dagba, assuring the public that all donations would be accountably delivered to the victims.
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