The Covid-19 National Trust Fund has so far received a total sum of GH¢8.75 million in the form of donations from the general public, President Akufo-Addo has disclosed.
The amount also includes $600,000, the President indicated during a televised address to Ghanaians on Sunday, April 5.
He was thankful to Ghanaians and institutions for heeding to the clarion call, to support the the Fund aimed at supporting the vulnerable and those who will be hard hit by measures adopted to combat the Coronavirus disease in Ghana.
“I am very grateful to the individuals and institutions, who have responded to my appeal for donations to be made into the COVID-19 National Trust Fund, which has been established to complement Government’s fight against the virus, and to assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable”, President Akufo-Addo said.
“A total amount of some GH¢8.75 million, which includes six hundred thousand United States dollars (US$600,000), has been received so far for this purpose. I am happy that so many appointees of my government have also followed my example by donating their salaries to the Fund,” he further disclosed.
Parliament passes Covid-19 National Trust Fund Bill
Parliament on Thursday April 02 approved the report of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee which recommended the passing of the COVID-19 National Trust Fund Bill, 2020 under a Certificate of Urgency.
The Bill was laid before Parliament on the night of Wednesday April 01, 2020 by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Honourable Gloria Afua Akuffo.
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin who was presiding over proceeding subsequently referred the Bill to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the House.
The Committee immediately convened a meeting after the Bill was submitted to the House and came to a determination that it was of urgent nature and thus approval procedures can be rushed.
The Bill was subsequently read the second time at the plenary and taken through the consideration stage on Thursday April, 02, 2020.
The Chairman of the Committee Ben Abdallah, who is also the MP for Offinso South moved the motion for the second reading seconded by the Ranking Member of the Committee, Hon. Fuseini Inusah Abdulai Bistav, MP for Tamale Central.
The Bill when assented to by His Excellency the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo into law will give legal backing to the establishment of the Covid-19 National Trust Fund to complement the efforts of government in the fight against the disease.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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