The Muslim Health Workers Association of Ghana has reached out to about 70 widows, orphans and the needy within some communities in the Ashanti Region as part of its gesture to help such persons during the month of Ramadan.
The non-profit organization solely relies on member contribution and those from philanthropists to enable it put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable in society.
Each beneficiary received a bag of 5kg rice, a bottle of vegetable oil, two tins of tomatoes, mackerel, tins of milk and sugar.
According to executives of the Association, the donation will help such needy persons to have food and other items to start and break their fast within the month of Ramadan since it is difficult for some of them to be able to afford.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar is considered one of the blessed months in Islam.
During this period, Muslims are encouraged to do good by supporting the needy in the society especially widows, orphans and the elderly.
The beneficiaries were drawn from communities like; Aboabo and Suame,
Speaking to Citi News after the donation, President of the Association, Dr Aisha Ali Issaka said the gesture which is christened ‘Iftar Donation’ is to enable members of the group to benefit from the blessings of the month of Ramadan.
He said it is also to contribute to society by giving to the needy since the Holy Quran and the Prophet Muhammad had emphasized the need for charity in the month and also encouraged Muslims to do so.
She said the group in the past two years has given packages of provisions and clothing to widows, the elderly, the poor and destitute children as well as orphans.
“As an Association, we hope that this package will bring joy to the beneficiaries who are needy and that it will be heartwarming for them that they may have something to start and break their fast,” she added.
Dr Aisha indicated that the Association will do more to help the needy before the month ends.
She called on individuals, corporate organizations and other philanthropists to help the Association to impact positively on the lives of the needy in society.
Let’s prioritize good parental care
The Association’s Women Organizer, Hajia Ajaratu Lampinley engaged the women and other beneficiaries in a pep talk and encouraged them to place more premium in the proper upbringing of their children to make them relevant to society.
She expressed worry over how some parents shirk their responsibilities in the upbringing of their children, a development she said contributed to the growing indiscipline amongst the youth within the society.
During an open forum, the beneficiaries cited peer pressure, poverty, broken homes and parental neglect as causes of deviance and waywardness amongst some youth of the Zongo communities.
One of the beneficiaries called on parents to work hard to secure a good future for their wards and rather stop using their monies to engage in extravagant activities and luxuries.
Hajia Ajaratu said children are gift from God and parents have the duty to ensure they are well-catered for so they will not go astray.
She called on parents to prioritize the upbringing of their children since they are the future leaders of the country.
According to the Association, its underlying objective is to remodel the Zongo communities through health and Islam.
The Association has been embarking in mini-clinic services in most communities where its members offer health screening for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Blood pressure, diabetes, health education, consultation and free drugs to beneficiaries of such services.