A relief programme themed “Reach Out Ghana” has been launched by Concerned Artistes for Disaster Relief (CADRE) in Accra on Tuesday, to raise funds to support relief efforts for the Northern flood victims.
CADRE expects to conduct a two-day televised programme under the theme ‘Reach Out Ghana’ on October 26 and 27 the telethon (i.e a marathon on television will feature a medley of music, documentaries and footage from hard hit areas and messages of solidarity from concerned citizens, friends and target the world at large.
It is also expected that auction of high value items and other valuable possession to be provided by celebrities will be sold to raise funds. This platform, CADRE explained, is in collaboration with all telecom companies. Kojo appealed to all and sundry to contribute generously both in cash and in kind and by phone and text-pledges.
The launch attended by high profile guests and a cross section of the media, and a galaxy of showbiz celebrites attended the launch.
In a brief speech, Kojo Antwi who initiated the project thanked his colleague musicians for the spontaneous response to his call for them need to reach out to the northern flood victims.
The launch was also intended as a platform to rally support of Ghanaians from all walks of life to help raise awareness about the gravity and magnitude of the flood that hit the northern parts of the country recently and left a heavy toll on life and property, rendering many homeless.
Records indicate that about 42,000 farms were destroyed in the Northern Region while about 4,500 farms were also damaged in the Upper West Region leaving in its wake 18,600 houses destroyed in the Northern Region.
In the Upper West Region 1,101 homes were destroyed with death recorded as 15 in the Northern Region and in the Upper West 10 whilst in the Upper East Region, a total of 15,069 destroyed houses recorded with 31 death recorded.
The purpose according to CADRE is to find solution by soliciting support of substantial contribution to complement the effort of our government and other civil and societal organizations to help alleviate the plight of the victims.
Earlier, opening the function, Mr Kwasi Kyei Darkwa master of ceremonies for the function and said many celebrities have indicated their preparedness to support the programme.
He noted that it was now time to show much concern for our brethren in the worth and other areas of the country. Parts of the Western, Eastern and Volta Regions have also been affected by the flood and figures released by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) show that about 260,000 people have been affected lately in the regions.
Speakers at the launch appealed for the support of Ghanaians to make the programme a success.
In his observation, Dr Sulley Gariba a representative of the Northern Development Forum a mouthpiece for development in the North noted that although the north had been tragically engulfed by the disaster caused by the floods it has in a way brought feuding faction together and halted hostilities in a resolve to find solution to the problem.
Dr Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission pledged GH¢250 million for relief purposes in the north
Present were Rex Omar, Anandzeba Nat Brew, all accomplished musicians, David Dontoh, award winning film giant of international standing and Akofa Adjeani, Kwaku Simtim Misa (KSM) a writer actor, comedy giant and radio and TV personality were all there.
