Ashanti minister donates to Kumasi orphanage
Ashanti Regional Minister, Peter Anarfi Mensah, has appealed to utility companies in the region to exercise restrain when cutting supply to orphanage homes.
According to him, such facilities provide special needs and all must contribute towards maintaining them.
He appealed to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to allow such homes enough time to settle their debts, rather than disconnect them out rightly.
He said, “it is an appeal I am making to these Utility Agencies; water especially and then electricity please, please, please no matter the amount these homes might be owing, cutting them off would be very disastrous”.
He indicated that, although the service providers must redeem the cost they incur in terms of production and supply, they should be lenient when dealing with orphanages with special needs.
He made this appeal when he donated items to the Kumasi Children’s Home on Thursday.
Mr Anarfi Mensah presented items including food stuff, toiletries, disinfectants and other household supplies to the home as part of activities marking the country’s 55th Republic anniversary.
The GWCL recently cut water supply to the Kumasi Children’s Home following its indebtedness.
The home has had to rely on sachet water packs in order to continue regular activities. This placed increased financial stress on the orphanage.
The orphanage currently caters to the needs of some 84 inmates. Its poor financial standing is however no secret, as indebtedness and utility cuts have become common place.
Mr Anarfi Mensah also urged authorities at these agencies to visit such homes to be abreast with the challenges so they can also assist in that direction.
The Minister however stressed that, Government was prepared to settle all debts these orphanages owe, and Utility Companies must not wait until these debts are settled before such services will be provided.
He also promised to grant an earlier request the authorities at the orphanage made for the provision of a bus for the home.
