I Would Bring Doctors Into the Country - Philanthropist

An Austria based Ghanaian fashion designer and founder of Queens Ville Palace Project, a charitable organisation, Mrs. Sharon Perlinger, says negotiations are far advanced to bring doctors into the country to minimise the effect of the medical brain drain affecting the country.

She said plots of land have been acquired at Frafraha in the Greater Accra Region, which would soon be developed into a well-equipped hospital. She said the hospital would basically take care of accident victims, burns and other skin related diseases.

Mrs. Sharon Perlinger told the press at a media launch of Queens Ville Palace Project, that she would hold events to raise funds for needy Ghanaian children, especially victims of child trafficking, slavery and those in orphanages.

She said children are important assets to the nation and therefore "we should all play a part in helping the children particularly those who are socially disadvantaged."

She said, "What we do today would enable them to become sound of mind, creative and good citizens of our country". She said an account titled "Needy Children" would be set up for all money accruing from the fundraising.

Mrs. Perlinger, a daughter of a one time Queen Mother of James Town, Accra, said she developed the love for children because of her personal experience and belief.

She said she had been raising funds for charitable organisations in Austria for the past decade and in February 1998 was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by Indiana University Center on Philanthropy.

Mr. Francis Poku, coordinator of the project said, it is expected to raise ?100 million at the formal launching, scheduled to take place on 21st December this year.

He condemned child labour, which he said was on the upsurge in the country. He said Queens Ville Palace would give a proper account of funds donated to it and would supervise the distribution of charity to the needy.

Clothes and shoes belonging to Mrs. Sharon Perlinger would be auctioned on the day of the formal launching to raise funds for the project.