Despite Group donates to 4 hospitals
The Despite Group of Companies has distinguished itself with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities aimed at changing the lives of the less-privileged in society.
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Apart from donating items and cash to thousands of widows and widowers of Agona Wiamoase in the Ashanti Region, the group has once again embarked on a life-changing journey with the establishment of the Despite Disaster Relief Fund, aimed at raising money to be given to victims of the June 3 flood and fire disaster in Accra.
The fund was set up on June 10, 2015, with a seed money of GH¢100,000 from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Dr Osei Kwame Despite, and his business partner, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong.
As a result of this exemplary gesture, hundreds of lives have been transformed and smiles have been put on the faces of victims of the twin disaster.
Life changers
Despite Group of Companies last Friday presented a total of GH¢228, 036, raised from the Despite Disaster Relief Fund, to 157 victims of the disaster.
The 157 victims included people who suffered burns, were admitted to hospitals and had either been discharged or were still on admission. Each person was given GH¢1,400.
The delegation that led the donation included the Marketing Executive of the Despite Group, Ms Mawusie Woka, the Marketing Manager of Best Point Savings and Loans, Mr Kojo Idan, and the News Editor of Peace FM, Mr Yaw Obeng Manu.
Establishment of fund
Briefing the media, Mr Manu explained that the establishment of the fund was as a result of the deep affection and sincere concern for victims of the June 3 disaster.
He added that following the massive destruction of property running into millions of cedis, the two illustrious businessmen deemed it a responsibility to come to the aid of the victims.
Mr Manu urged victims who received the money to cultivate the habit of saving in order to have some money set aside for a rainy day.
The Medical Director of the Ghana Police Hospital, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Dr Samuel Amu Mensah, expressed gratitude to the group for coming to the aid of the victims, especially when a lot of them had lost everything.
“After the disasters, most of the victims had not been able to come up with money to start their lives again,” he said.
Dr Mensah said the monies would go a long way to help the victims get back on track.
Out of the 93 victims who were admitted to the 37 Military Hospital, 10 are still on admission.
Medical stores
The Despite Group also presented medicines worth GH¢34,000, donated by Ayrton Drugs to the 37 Military Hospital to assist the hospital in providing efficient and effective healthcare to those who suffered burns and are still on admission.
During the presentation, Mr Manu explained that the hospital had the highest number of patients who had suffered from burns in the disaster, thus the group’s decision to present the medicines to the hospital.
Receiving the drugs, the Administrative Officer of the hospital, Lieutenant Colonel Rex Adzagba, expressed gratitude to the group for its kind gesture.
Victims show gratitude
The victims could not hold back their tears as they were being presented with the items.
Michael Tweneboah, whose fingers and face were burnt and currently on admission in the Tamakloe Ward of the 37 Military Hospital, expressed gratitude to the group and its supporters for not neglecting them in their most vulnerable states.
Mr Emmanuel Quartey, who had been discharged from the Ridge Hospital, on receiving his package, went on his knees and began thanking God for the presentation.
He said he did not have a permanent place to stay as his home had been razed down by the fire.
Madam Juliana Obenewaa, a trader, thanked the group for being so compassionate in thinking about their welfare to the extent that a fund was established for them.
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Bright Manu, who was among the five men who helped salvage the burnt bodies into trucks to be taken to the morgue, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the group for remembering the victims.
Laudable initiative
The Medical Director of the Ridge Hospital, Dr Emmanuel Obeng-Apori; said the establishment of the emergency fund was a laudable initiative, adding: “They ploughed back money they have benefitted from the society to help humanity.”
He added that with the setting up of the fund, the Despite Group had shown that it was in tune with the pain and distress the victims were going through.
June 3 disaster
On Wednesday, June 3, 2015, scores of people who had sought refuge at the GOIL Filling Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra during the downpour, thinking they would be safe from the rain, met their untimely death when an explosion occurred.
Today, Ghana still mourns the 159 souls which were lost as a result of the explosion at the filling station.
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