Ghana Red Cross Society commemorates World Red Cross Day

The Ghana Red Cross Society, has taken another step on the journey to bring good health and security to Ghanaians by providing the first aid post along the Accra-Tema Motorway.

According to Mr. Eric Asamoah Darko, Greater Accra Regional Manager of the society, the post seeks to stabilise accident victims before they are transported to nearby hospitals.

He said the Red Cross is collaborating with the Ghana Road Safety Commission, Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and Ghana Drive, to train every prospective driver in emergency first aid management at all the DVLA centres.

Mr. Darko made this known at the commemoration of this year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent day on Tuesday.

He called for more youth volunteerism to humanitarian services to help save the lives of defenceless and vulnerable communities both in Ghana and beyond.

He explained that, the voluntary service of the youth is critically required to bring good health and security to all citizens.

The celebration which falls on May 8 each year was on the theme: “Youth on the Move: Saving lives through Volunteerism.” It attracted lots of the members of the society especially pupils from first cycle institutions in the region who were engaged in a First Aid competition on demonstrations on unconsciousness and fractures.

At the end of the competition, St Peters Missions School at Ogbojo was awarded with a 21 inch colour television as the first prize winners, followed by the Victory Presby School which received a 14 inch colour television, whilst De Youngsters International School at Adenta, which came third, won a standing fan.

Mr. Darko appealed to stakeholders to assist in solving the numerous problems faced by volunteers of the society to make their course more attractive to the youth.

Ms Felicia Owusu, Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) who gave a background of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, explained that it is the largest humanitarian network and present in more than 170 countries.

She said the society provides relief to more than 233 million people globally.

She also referred to the occasion as significant because it marked the birthday of the Founder of the Red Cross Society, Henri Dunant, a Swiss National who witnessed a bitter battle between the Australian and French army after 16 hours of fighting which resulted in heavy casualties of which as many as 40,000 soldiers needed emergency care.

She said the founder’s efforts at saving lives gave rise to the formation of the International Committee of Red Cross, which had since maintained the vision of alleviating human suffering by ensuring compliance of the humanitarian law principles.

She said the WHO is committed to the global course of the Red Cross to ensure good health, peace and unity among communities globally. **