FrieslandCampina West Africa Limited, owners of the Peak Milk brand in Ghana, has organised a health talk for female head porters, popularly known as Kayayei, at the Children’s Park in Accra.

The event which was attended by Mrs Comfort Asare, Director of Social Welfare, representing Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and some key functionaries of the Department of Children; witnessed the registration of approximately 500 head potters to the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Mr Adewale Adeola, Regional Commercial Manager, FrieslandCampina West Africa Limited, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting good nutrition among Ghanaians saying: ‘‘we offer Ghanaians a product that provides the building materials and fuel for good nutrition in the form of proteins, vitamins and minerals.’’

Justifying the choice of the Kayayei group for the gesture, he said the company’s choice was largely informed by their awareness of the plights and susceptibility of the head porters.

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

Mrs Asare, said outlined a number of interventions the government is putting in place to ameliorate the plight of the head porters in the country.

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

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

Abiba Alhassan, 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 to live a healthy life,” she said.