Accra, Aug. 4, GNA - Mr Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako, Finance and Administrative Officer of ABANTU for Development, an international nongovernmental organisation (NGO), on Thursday announced that he had embarked on a hunger strike in solidarity with the people of Niger who have been afflicted by famine and starvation.

He said Ghanaians should not sit back unconcerned while the 2.5 million inhabitants of Niger, especially children, nursing mothers and the elderly continued to be devoured by devastating famine, but must pool resources to fiercely combat the situation.

Speaking at press conference in Accra Mr Antwi-Boasiako made an urgent appeal to all Ghanaians as well as other citizens of all African countries to contribute at least one dollar or more towards the relief operations currently going on in Niger, to help to alleviate the suffering of the people.

He said donations received would be forwarded to Aid Agencies in Niger either through the Embassy of Niger or UN agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP).

"Cheques could be issued in the name of Joy FM and "Niger Relief Operations" marked at the back," he said.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako attributed the lack of support for fund raising to save the situation in Niger, to lack of leadership on the part of African governments, and said the time was due for Africa to rise up and to do something for herself instead of relying solely on the donor community each time for relief when disaster struck.

He suggested that African leaders took the lead role in organising fund raising activities to support the emergency operations meant to save the lives of the people they were itching to represent on the UN Security Council, which could greatly boost their quest for the permanent seats they required.

He appealed to the media, financial institutions, religious and corporate bodies, District Assemblies and NGOs to use their structures and systems to request and receive donations from the public to support the people of Niger.