The Lebanese Community in Ghana has yet again provided scholarships and financial aid to dependents and families of 23 martyrs in a ceremony at the Police Service in Accra yesterday.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the Police, Immigration and Prisons Service.

In his address, the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana HE Ali Halabi pointed out that "The Lebanese Community who is fully integrated in the Ghanaian society and who has contributed to the economic development of Ghana strongly believes that without brave and qualified security men and women and without modern and well equipped security services, there will be no stability in the society and no growth in the economy.

"To the families of the Martyrs I say I bow as a sign of respect to the ultimate sacrifice of your martyrs and also to your suffering in coping.

"I hope that this modest contribution from the Lebanese Community will be of some help in your daily lives," he added.

He paid glowing tribute to the Interior Minister Woyongo for his continued support for the educational and social programs of the Lebanese Community.

According to him the Lebanese Community with the assistance of the Interior Minister provided scholarships to dependents of Martyrs of the Army as well as needed students in many regions.

He particularly commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Alhassan, Director General of Immigration and the Prisons Service for their respective contributions in achieving the long process of the project.

The Interior Minister Hon Mark Owen Woyongo stated that I am particularly grateful to HE Ambassador Ali Halabi and the Lebanese Community in Ghana for this noble gesture of ensuring that wards and children of those unfortunate men and women in uniform stay in school.

"This is a sign and token of social responsibility of the Lebanese Community all over the World. This gesture also gives a hope and an assurance that life must go on even after misfortune.

"The government has taken note of the enormous contributions of the Lebanese Community in Ghana, particularly their involvement and investment in Major areas such as hospitality, automobile industry, real estate and commercial ventures which have generated employment to our citizens and deepened the relationship between our two countries," the Minister added.

Inspector General of Police Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan in his address indicated that men in uniforms have some form of relief packages and compensations, but may not meet the needs of the affected officers.

He therefore commended the Lebanese Community saying, "I see the step taken by HE Halabi and the Lebanese Community as a step in the right direction."

One of the beneficiaries Elikplim Hommey said "I wish to state that I am overwhelmed by this gesture by the Lebanese Community in Ghana, especially as it comes at a time when schools are soon to be re-opened and most of us if not all, are desperate and hopeless as we do not know how and where we are going to raise funds to enable us continue our education."

This year, the Lebanese Community has financed 100 scholarships in various programs.