...for purchase of mammographic X-ray equipment
The Wives of Ghanaian Diplomats Association in London (WOGDA) has raised more than ₤7,000.00 for the purchase of mammographic x-ray equipment for the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

The amount was realised at a fundraising barbecue organised in London as part of the celebrations of the first anniversary of the Association.

The 11-hour event dubbed “Early Screening” and organised in conjunction with the Ghana High Commission, London, was attended by H.E. Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana High Commissioner to the UK, who served as chairperson for the occasion, Ghanaians from all walks of life, chiefs, representatives of Ghanaian community associations and opinion leaders.

Other prominent dignitaries included Mr. Emile Short, Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice – CHIRAJ; Mr. Kwabena Baah-Doudu, Deputy High Commissioner, Pastor Sam Larbi, founder of Elim Pentecostal Church in Camberwell, Mr. George Quarshie Collison, Consultant in Information Systems/Technology and Proprietor of Care Home and Day Centre for the Elderly in London, Dr. S. A. Debrah, Chairman of Ghana Union UK in Middlesbrough, Chief Imam of the Ghanaian community in the UK, Alhaji Ahmed Jumba, Mr. Francis Tsegah, Supervising Director - Policy Planning & Research, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Numbervator, alias Isaac Anoom a prominent TV presenter and Maths Consultant.

Featuring prominently at the event were John Teye Memorial School Band, the Cagle Family Singers, Lord Eric’s Sugumugu’s Ensemble and Mr. Smart Nkansah who thrilled the gathering with captivating sounds and music from their rich repertoire.

Inaugurating the Association, H.E Mr. Isaac Osei commended WOGDA for its initiative and hoped that it would work assiduously towards attaining the goals and objectives it has set itself.

He hoped WOGDA would channel its energies and resources towards helping to provide valuable inputs which will bring back the smile and re-generate profound happiness and joy in the Ghanaian community.

In his contribution, Pastor Larbi who donated an amount of ₤1,000.00 and said the opening prayer at the event prayed for God’s guidance for all members of the Association in their quest to contribute their quota towards ameliorating the living standard of Ghanaians.

Blessing the first set of T-Shirts of the Association, Mr. Collison who also donated ₤1,000 exhorted members of the Association to be guided by the spirit of sharing as exemplified by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sponsors of the event, Kut & Payste Media Consultants, Unity Link Money Transfer Remittances, Akwaaba Financial Services, IMC Ltd. (Noble Printers) and Ghana Airways pledged to continue to provide appropriate sponsorship to WOGDA towards its programmes.

In her keynote address, Mrs. Marian Osei, wife of H.E. the High Commissioner and President of WOGDA, traced the background leading to the formation of the Association about a year ago and stressed that the Association would not relax in its efforts to provide the necessary platform that would enable members contribute their quota towards the social and economic development of our country.

She said by taking a firm decision to acquire a mammogram for the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the Association was embracing the President's appeal to Ghanaian to be prepared to take their destiny into their hands as well as help in building our country.

She said the need for additional equipment to help in the diagnosis of women was crucial judging from increase in the number of people who have developed the disease from 35 per 100,000 in 1977 to between 50 - 70 per 100,000 cases in 1997.

The association has the following as Executive members, Mrs. Edith Baah-Duodu, Vice President, Ms. Susan Duplan, Secretary, Mrs. Florence Andoh, Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Angelina Yankey, Treasurer and Mrs. Sabina Wereko- Porter.