Ghana Red Cross Society calls for support

The Ghana Red Cross Society has urgently called on the government to allocate some budget from the consolidated fund for the Red Cross operations.

Addressing the media yesterday in Accra on their impending 50th anniversary, the secretary general of the society Andrews Frimpong said the Society had very little financial support from the government and other state agencies despite its contribution to national development.

He pointed out that, some of the challenges and the frustration they go through is as a result of lack of recognition from some state agencies and other government officials, lack of clarity on which ministry they are responsible to and low volunteer patronage.

Due to the lack of governmental support, the society has had to depend on assistance from foreign partners for their programmes. In order to reduce the dependence on external funding and project implementation, and rather promote the generation of the local resources, he disclosed that, a new project known as the 3 in 1 process has been initiated.

He explained that, by this initiative, Red Cross chapters will be established in about 7,800 communities through out the country, to provide immediate care in times of emergency, rather than relying on outside support in the event of an emergency.

Apart from the few ministries and other government agencies who are receptive to their calls, he indicated that, majority of the state departments look down on the society as a voluntary one made up of unemployed people who have nothing to do with their time.

In view of the multiple roles the Society plays, he recommended that government creates a ministry or a desk at the President's office to address their grievances.

By slarge