As part of efforts aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 in the Eastern Regional town of Akosombo and also to ensure that electricity supply is uninterrupted, the Volta River Authority (VRA), in collaboration with the security services has mounted COVID-19 screening barriers on all entry roads leading to the Akosombo township in a bid to monitor travellers who enter the town.
Upon arrival at the barrier, passengers are required to disembark for their temperatures to be taken and hands sanitized.
According to the head of Akosombo Management Committee, Vivian Yeboah, suspected cases of persons with the disease are referred to a hospital while those cleared are made to continue with their journeys.
“As part of VRA’S efforts in fighting the pandemic here in Akosombo, we have amongst other things set up screening centres on our major entry and exit points. Also, instead of our normal market days which are Mondays and Thursdays, we operate the markets on non-market days just to ensure that people adhere to the social distancing protocol. There is high sensitisation going and task force officers are on the ground enforcing adherence of the protocol.”
Meanwhile, five districts and two traditional councils have benefited from health care supplies from the VRA which is aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in parts of the Eastern and Volta Regions.
Each of the five district assemblies, comprising of Lower and Upper Manya Krobo, Asougyaman, Yilo Krobo and North Tongu, as well as Akwamu and Manya Krobo Traditional councils, received 10 gallons of sanitizer, 30 Veronica buckets, 30 packs of surgical masks, 30 packs of hand gloves, 30 disposable gawns, 10 gallons of liquid soap, 30 rolls of tissue, 5 non-contact thermometers and a cash amount of GHS5,000.
In an interview with Citi News, the Medical Director of VRA health services, Dr. Rebecca Acquaah-Arhhin noted that the donation forms part of VRA’S corporate social responsibility programs as the Authority marks its 59th year of existence.
“We know that as Authority, we cannot fight the pandemic alone. So executives decided that we donate some of these PPE to five districts and two traditional councils who are our main host communities to enhance their efforts in fighting the spread. As part of it, this donation also forms part of our corporate social responsibility programs as we mark 59 years of existence.”
Expressing their gratitude to the VRA for the kind gesture, the Municipal Chief Executives of Lower and Upper Manya Krobo, Simon Kweku Tetteh and Felix Nartey Odjao respectively indicated that the donations would go a long way to help in the fights against the COVID-19 in their various districts.
“These items are going to help in the fight of the pandemic as we will ensure that these items are placed within the communities. We are very grateful to the Volta River Authority,” the MCE for Lower Manya Simon Tetteh noted.
On his part, the Upper Manya District Chief Executive, Felix Nartey Odjao said “A lot of communities dotted along the Volta lake and activities of VRA affect us. On behalf of the district, I would want to express our gratitude to the leadership of VRA for this kind gesture. Their donation is going to augment what we have been doing in the fight against the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, officials of VRA have explained that measures have been put in place to ensure that the items are used for their intended purpose within the various communities.