Bawjiase (C/R) Aug. 8, GNA- The US-based Freedom from Hunger project, a non-profit organisation, on Thursday launched a Micro-Business for Health (MBH) initiative in Ghana, to facilitate community distribution of life-saving health protection products with focus on the rural poor.

The initiative, which is under the auspices of the Health Keeper micro franchise network in Ghana, is training women health keepers who sell basic health protection products, comprising treated mosquito nets, water treatment tablets, oral rehydration salts, condoms, reading glasses and iodised salts on door-to-door basis.

Dr Christopher Dunford, President of Freedom from Hunger, launched the MBH at Bawjiase in the Central Region, where the initial 73 health keepers trained from Efutu, Awutu-Senya, Agona East, Gomoa, Yilo, Lower Manya and Dangbe East districts, clad in yellow t-shirts were introduced to the chiefs and people amidst cheers and brass band music.

MBH hopes to reach 50 per cent of rural Ghana with about 2,500 women by 2012.

Dr Dunford expressed the hope that the initiative would help in the fight against malaria and other communicable diseases and facilitate the war against poverty.

Mr Daniel Ekow Mensah, Social Franchise Manager of Freedom from Hunger said the initiative sought to bring on board innovative and sustainable self-help solutions to the fight against chronic hunger and poverty.

"Together with local partners, Freedom from Hunger equips families with resources they need to build futures of health hope and dignity." Mr Mensah said MBH was a response to the country's public health challenges and concerns.

He said phase one of the initiative covered Central, Volta, Greater Accra and Eastern regions, Phase two: Western, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions while phase three include: Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.

Naakye Dodi-Akaibi XIV, Queen mother of Awutu Traditional Area, who chaired the function, expressed satisfaction that the MBH would support efforts to improve on the standards of living of the rural poor in Ghana.

Freedom from Hunger, which was founded in 1946 as a "Meals for Millions" project, offers poor women in 16 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America integrated micro-finance, education and health protection services.

The project supports 1.2 million families in rural areas, where hunger, poverty and ill-health are chronic and devastating.