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Health News of Friday, 3 April 2015

Source: GNA

Tobinco Foundation gives medical support to Widows

Tobinco Foundation, an NGO and a subsidiary of the Tobinco Group of Companies, has donated a sum of GH? 7,230.00 to 10 widows to enable them under-go medical surgery.

The two-day workshop was aimed at orientating participants on how to manage themselves, in order to achieve their social and psychological well-being and that of their children and dependants.

A total of 10 individuals benefited from a package ranging from 300 to 1,000 Ghana Cedis, to cure their various ailments.

The beneficiaries were Clement Quaison, Frank Nti- Mensah, Bashiru Mohammed, Benjamin Oteng and Philip Boateng.

The rest were Janet Ansah- Gamiah, Daniel Kwaku, Esther Lamptey, and Grace Gyan.

Speaking at the event, a member of the Executive Board of the Foundation, Mrs Mary Tobin Osei reminded the participants that, ‘‘being a widow is not the end of life but rather we should be motivated to in the Lord and still achieve the purpose of our lives here on earth.

‘‘A widow is capable just like all the able-bodied in this country. By the end of the training, I expect all participants to develop their entrepreneurial skills of interest, learn basic management skills and the need to enhance their well-being.’’

Rev. Dr. Yaa Adobea Owusu from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, one of the facilitators, reiterated the need for the participants to adhere to good eating habits, and exercise regularly to ensure they grow healthy and active.

General Coordinator for CDA Consult, Mr Francis Ameyibor, urged stakeholders to ensure gender equality, equity and empowerment of widows, for national development.

He said ‘‘it is a moral and religious responsibility for the private sector players, religious bodies, traditional leaders and non- governmental institutions to support efforts to help lift the social excluded and the vulnerable- especially widows from extreme poverty, and build their capacity to manage their livelihood’’.

Mr Ameyibor said it is paramount that Tobinco Foundation is providing and ensuring that widows have equal access to economic resources and opportunities, to strengthen their economic capacities.

He noted ‘‘widows especially women and the vulnerable in society must also consider building strategic partnership and networking within the modern socio- economic development sphere. And our religious bodies must consider educating their folks on new family concept based on religious tenets to the neglect of the traditional family system.’’

Tobinco Foundation provides financial assistance, counseling and the general livelihood support to widows, people living with disabilities, the sick and the unemployed, and other vulnerable groups in society.