Accra, Nov 30, GNA - About 80 members of the University of Ghana, Legon branch of the Church of Christ at the weekend, undertook a three-hour cleanup exercise at the Legon Hospital.

They swept, scrubbed, removed cobwebs, cleaned mosquito-proof netting and weeded the surroundings of Wards A and B of the Hospital.

Speaking to the GNA during the exercise, Mr Solomon Larbi, Secretary of the Church, commended staff of the Hospital for rendering dedicated services not only to students of the University but the community as well and urged them to continue with such assistance.

He said that even though the exercise was the first by the Church, it would make it a regular feature, adding that, members would offer their services to the Hospital at least once every semester.

Mr Larbi noted that without good health the students could not pursue their studies in a congenial atmosphere and said the exercise was also to show their appreciation to the Doctors, nurses and staff for their "wonderful care for students and patients".

Members of the Church, 80 per cent students of the University of Ghana and 20 per cent from the community visited the Wards and prayed for the quick recovery of the patients on admission and the staff of the Hospital.

The Church later presented food items including loaves of bread, fruits, seven bags of rice and a bag of sugar and soap and detergents valued at about three million cedis to the Hospital and one million cedis to the staff.

The Preacher (an equivalent of a Pastor in the Church) of the branch, Mr George Abugah, speaking during the presentation said to recognise the invaluable services of the staff, the members decided to present "the token" to encourage them to continue their "humanitarian work".

Mr Abugah disclosed to the GNA that the Church was building a primary school block from its own resources at the Staff Village, Legon as part of its social service and community development programme.

Mr B K Afari-Danso, Senoir Assistant Registrar of the University and Administrator of the Hospital, commended the Church members for "exhibiting their faith" in a practical way, saying, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," adding, "sanitation like our faith is a way of life and you have shown it today".

He said the exercise carried out by the members of the Church was in line with the vision of the Vice Chancellor of the University to ensure the beautification of the campus and its facilities and urged other organisation emulate them.

Mrs Naa Amoah Kwabi, Senior Nursing Officer, received the amount on behalf of the staff thanked the donors and described the amount as "not token but big". GNA