The Minority in Parliament has called on Members of the House to provide assistance to countries that have been affected by Cyclone Idai.
Hundreds of people have died and thousands more left displaced by the cyclone in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Making this appeal, Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stressed on Ghana’s credentials in the area of humanitarian assistance.
“I plead with Mr. Speaker that this House goes beyond solidarity with mere words. Though I am not discounting soothing words in times like these, I propose Mr. Speaker, if it pleases you that we all as Members of Parliament make voluntary donations both in cash or kind which should go together and donate to our fellow Africans in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe who are in dire need for assistance.
“I trust that under the leadership of our kindhearted and Renowned Reverend Minister, the Speaker of the House, who has positively imparted all of us including my humble self, this proposal will be done to inspire all including the people we represent in this august House.”
He further bemoaned the lack of technology in Africa to accurately predict natural disasters to enable countries to manage the impact of such disasters.
Meanwhile Speaker of Parliament, Mike Oquaye has instructed leadership of the two sides to meet and come up with recommendations by Wednesday on the mode of assistance to be provided by Parliament and the state at large.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has already indicated that Ghana is ready to assist the people of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe who have been badly affected by Cyclone Idai.
Cyclone Idai which is regarded as one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa has become a reference for some environmentalists on the looming danger of climate change on the continent of Africa.
At least 500 people have been reported dead, several hundreds missing and over 2.5 million people affected in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe as a result of the strong winds and severe flooding.
Effects of Cyclone Idai
In Zimbabwe, at least 98 people have died and 217 people are missing in the east and southern parts of the country, the government said.
In Malawi, the UN says more than 80,000 people have been displaced by the cyclone.
Large parts of Mozambique have been engulfed after the cyclone smashed into its low-lying coastal areas, while heavy rains caused landslides and floods in Malawi and Zimbabwe.
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By: Marian Ansah | citinewsroom.com | Ghana