FrieslandCampina West Africa Limited, owners of the Peak Milk brand in Ghana, has organized a health talk for head potters, popularly known as Kayayei.

The event, organised at the Kumasi Technical Institute, was in line with the company’s commitment to promote good nutrition among Ghanaians.

The programme, which was attended by some key functionaries of the Department of Gender, Children and Social Protection as well as the National Health Insurance Authority, also saw the donation of assorted Peak brands as well as Peak branded aprons and pans to various Kayayei groups.

The event also witnessed the registration of approximately 500 head potters on the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Mr Wilfred Assi, Marketing Manager of FrieslandCampina West Africa Limited, said “we offer Ghanaians a product that provides building materials and fuels for good nutrition in the form of proteins, vitamins and minerals.”

He said the company’s choice of the Kayayei for the gesture, was largely informed by the awareness of their plight and susceptibility.

“As a community-oriented and socially-responsible brand, we have taken notice, with concern, the hassle and difficulties of these head potters. We are aware that the nature of their job makes them susceptible to many health problems hence this gesture ’’he said.

Mr Benjamin Otoo, the Regional Director of Social Welfare, outlined a number of interventions the government is putting in place to ameliorate the plight of the head potters in the country.

“Our goal, in the long term, is to ensure that the Kayayei phenomenon reduces to its minimal level,” she said.

While lauding Peak milk’s initiative, he called on the corporate community to emulate the gesture saying “Social Protection can be achieved through the concerted efforts of key stakeholder groups and the corporate community.”

Rukaya Zabzugu, a beneficiary of the programme, was full of praise to Peak milk for the gesture.

“I am particularly happy with the health talk. It has been very educative and I am certain it will help us live healthy lives,” she said.