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Regional News of Thursday, 2 January 2014

Source: Mohammed Saani Ibrahim-The Accra Times

Wailing widows cry for help

Wailing Widows in the Krobo communities of the Eastern Region are appealing to the government to set up an independent fund that will be used to cater for the needs of widows across the nation.

According to them, The Widows Fund will not only help in making life meaningful to them, but more bearable, especially the aged-widows who cannot work to earn a living.

They made the call during the occasion of a Christmas party organized for them by Vic of TV3 Mentor 2 fame, at Krobo-Odumase in the Lower Manya Krobo District of the Region.

Secretary to the Wailing Widows Association, Catherine Korlekwor Owusu attributed the major challenge facing the Association to the inability of most members to pay their dues as they are mostly aged-widows who have no source of income.

The Association, she mentioned, was established in 2011 with a numerical strength of three hundred (300), but the number keeps decreasing due to the numerous challenges facing the association.

She also indicated that the number of widows in the communities keep increasing, as on a weekly basis, two or three women burry their husbands, making them widows and potential members of the association. Currently, the number of widows in the association adds up to 200.

On her part, Vic of Mentor 2 fame said that her desire to party and give to the widows during this Christmas festivities is in fulfillment to a call made to her by God.

She said, she once had a call in Church to give to the poor and although she ignored that call, she was one day approached by a widow soon after church, who asked her (Vic) of what she had for a poor widow like her.

She noted that it then occurred on her that the call she had to do something for the poor must be obeyed and fulfilled, hence the Christmas party.

Vic said the party was organized so as to put smiles on the faces of the widows and give them reason to live and to feel loved.

The CEO of S & S Media Concept, a sponsor of the party, Mr. Samuel Okine, also averred that the gesture was in fulfillment of their Corporate-Social responsibility, expressing the hope that God is going to do something remarkable in their lives.

He expressed his happiness to be part of the event and promised to make the event an annual event to bring smiles and make the widows fill appreciated and included in public affairs.

He bemoaned the situation whereby the society at large ignores widows to suffer soon after the death of their husbands. He called for a change in attitude and perception towards widows especially the poor ones.

The occasion was also witnessed by Mr. Michael Nkrumah, the CEO of Sigma International Cosmetics. He added his voice for widows to be supported to live a meaningful life.

He promised that his outfit, which also sponsored the event, will continue to support the widows to impact meaningfully in the society

The widows were treated to good music and tunes that they danced to and were fed as they party with Vic, guests, Chiefs and sponsors of the event.