Make plight of orphans a priority-Minister advises

Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister has said that, the plight of orphans and other deprived children must be of greater importance to all. She said such children need love, care, support and proper upbringing to enable them to fit into society.

Madam Horner-Sam said these at the foundation laying ceremony for the establishment of the Egyam Orphanage Foundation-Ghana at Egyam, near Takoradi on Tuesday.

It is estimated to cost 1.7 billion cedis. She said many of the children were orphaned as a result of the HIV/AIDS infection and therefore, appealed to society to assist them to begin life again.

Madam Horner-Sam said the effects of HIV/AIDS was being overlooked but was turning several children into orphans and depriving them of their future.

She urged the community to make the ongoing education on the HIV/AIDS seriously to avoid contracting the disease. Madam Horner-Sam appealed to the community to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to enable them to access health care.

Mrs Thea Van Den Bosch, Founder of the Orphanage said, she decided to establish the home to provide assistance for the increasing number of orphans in the community.

She said the orphanage would provide a home that would cater for the physical, social needs and quality health care and education. Mrs Bosch said the home would also train them morally to make them fit into society.

She appealed to individuals, NGOs and other philanthropists to support the orphanage.