NGO donates computer to Department of Social Welfare

Apowa (W/R), Oct 21, GNA - Bishop Emmanuel B. Young, Chairman of Orphans Cry International (OCI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based at Apowa near Takoradi, has stressed the need to assist less endowed government departments to operate effectively.

He made the call when he presented a computer, printer, fax machine and a scanning machine estimated at about 25 million cedis to the Western Regional Office of the Department of Social Welfare. Bishop Young described the Department as a very important government institution, which sees to the plight and resettlement of orphans, street, abandoned and deprived children.

He said, however, that it had not been able to discharge its duties effectively as a result of the lack of logistics.

Bishop Young noted that even though the government was making efforts to assist all departments and agencies it could not provide all of their needs and said NGOs and other organisations should supplement its efforts.

He stressed the need for such organisations to support the government to cater for the needs of the increasing number of orphans, street and abandoned children.

The OCI Chairman said the NGO, which operates an orphanage at Apowa for 65 street and abandoned children and orphans, donated the equipment to the Department to enable it to improve its performance.

Mr Yaw Owusu Barimah, Western Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, who received the equipment, thanked the Orphan's Cry International for the gesture.

He said the equipment would enable it to computerise its records and also facilitate communication between the regional and district offices. Mr Barimah expressed the hope that other NGOs would emulate the shinning example of Orphan's Cry International and come to its aid especially in the provision of a means of transport.

At the same function, Takoradi Children's Wares Association also presented food items, provisions, soap, fruits and clothing valued at 15 million cedis to the Orphans Cry International orphanages. Reverend Mary Young, National Co-ordinator of the centre who received the items, thanked the donors for their care for the orphans.