Parliament Redeems ¢200,000 Pledge To Covid-19 Fund

THE SPEAKER of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye, has handed over a cheque of GHȼ200,000 to the trustees of the coronavirus (Covid-19) National Trust Fund after committing the House to donate to the crowd funding effort.

The donation is intended to support the government's effort in assisting those affected by the hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and the government has said the funds would give immediate support to patients of Covid-19, vulnerable people and businesses.

In recognition of the threat of Covid-19 to life and its escalation in the country, President Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, announced the establishment of the trust fund to galvanize support towards the fight against the pandemic and subsequently appointed a board of trustees chaired by former Chief Justice, Sophia A. B. Akuffo, to manage the funds.

On Thursday, April 2, 2020, Parliament passed the Covid-19 National Trust Fund, 2020 under a certificate of urgency during which the Speaker committed the House to donate GHȼ200,000 to set the fund rolling.

Speaker Oquaye also pledged to donate half of his monthly salaries for a three-month period into the Covid-19.

Speaking at the presentation of the cheque, Prof. Oquaye said the GHȼ200,000 was Parliament's 'widow's mite' contribution, adding that the House associated closely with the trustees for the job they were doing.

A board member of the trust fund, Archbishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, who received the cheque on behalf of the trust, expressed gratitude to Parliament for the kind gesture.

According to him, the donation demonstrated the support of Parliament and collective collaboration towards the fight against Covid-19.

He assured Parliament of the judicious application of the fund for the intended purpose and indicated that members of the board would ensure transparency in discharging their duties.

---Daily Guide