Regional News of Wednesday, 12 November 2003

Source: GNA

Ekwamase rainstorm victims receive relief items

Ekwamase(C/R), Nov. 12, GNA - The Central Regional Minister, Mr. Isaac Edumadze and the Ajumako Enya-Essiam District Secretariat of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) have donated relief items to rainstorm victims at Ekwamase, near Mankesim.

The items were made up of roofing sheets, blankets and some food items.

Three-days of continuous rain last month resulted in the collapse of a number of buildings claiming two lives and displacing more than 100 people.

Mr. Kenneth Kwesi Obempong, District Chief Executive, presented the items on behalf of the organization and the Regional Minister, who is also Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam.

Mr. Obempong expressed concern about the lack of maintenance especially of old buildings in the area, noting, "What our parents and grand parents have bequeathed to us are all falling apart due to neglect."

He urged the people to device new ways of tidying their homes on the daily basis instead of the traditional sweeping, which he said facilitated erosion.

Mr. J. Morrison, District NADMO Co-ordinator advised the people to plant trees to serve as windbreaks in the communities. Nana Nketia Afful, Abhontsindomhene of Abeadze Traditional area and Miss Eva Afful, Assemblywoman jointly received the items on behalf of the victims.

Nana Afful thanked the Minister and the NADMO for responding to their appeal.

He assured the Minister of their support and wished him well in his endeavours.

Miss Afful appealed to donor agencies and philanthropists for more assistance, especially building materials to alleviate the plight of the victims.