The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has launched an initiative dubbed ‘NUGS GOOD AND GOODS BANK’ to support students in areas under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
According to the union, it has temporarily converted its offices into a storage house to store food items; toiletries and other consumables intended to be distributed to students across the country beginning on Monday 30th March 2020.
President Nana Akufo-Addo on Friday, March 27, declared a partial lock-down of Accra and Kumasi, which are considered to be the epicentres of the coronavirus diseases in Ghana.
The decision, according to the President is to help curb the spread of COVID-19, which has led to five deaths and infected 152 people.
The lock-down will take effect from 1 am on Monday, March 30, 2020, according to the President and will last for two weeks.
Speaking to Citi News, the president of NUGS Isaac Jay Hyde said, ” the move forms part of the commitment of his outfit and his executives to serve the students of this nation even in such trying times.”
He further added that this delivery-upon-request service has come to stay, as it would “complement state efforts to mitigating on the implications of the lockdown especially in deprived areas of the cities to be affected.”
On how the items would be distributed, leader of the union indicated dispatch riders would be stationed at vantage points and delivery to address of students. He disclosed “students who will access this food and goods bank would be required to provide student ID upon delivery for authentication.”
Mr Hyde also called on individuals, groups and organizations to support this cause adding that donors are discouraged in giving out cash, “rather an online shopping system will be made available to them to shop into the bank for onward distribution. Donors can call the Covid19-NUGS Campaign Coordinator on 0501148730 [Nana Akua Afriyie Busia] to support the cause”
Ghana records 152 cases
Currently, Ghana has recorded 152 cases, 5 deaths and 2 recoveries. This follows the confirmation of 11 new cases by the Ghana Health Service today, Sunday, March 29, 2020.
Ten (10) of the new cases were among persons who were under mandatory quarantine in Tamale under the direction of the Regional Security Committee of the Northern Region.