The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) and the Barry Carrybaut have donated various items to the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) ahead of the National Chocolate Day, scheduled for February 14, to support efforts by the government to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

The four institutions presented face masks, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizer, disposable hand towels, cocoa products, among others to the GMA in support of the COVID-19 fight.

Speaking at the forum in Accra yesterday, Dr Emmanuel Opoku, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD said the donation was scheduled to coincide with the National Chocolate Week — marked usually in February every year by COCOBOD, in collaboration with the GTA — because of the significance of the celebration and the nutritional value of cocoa in boosting the immune system of people.

Dr Emmanuel Opoku intimated that the new wave of the pandemic had necessitated the need for the public to be very conscious of their health and boost their immune system, adding that the celebration was aimed at sensitizing Ghanaians on the reasons for consuming more cocoa for its nutritional and health benefits.

“We are here today to first and foremost appreciate your efforts as frontline workers who have been working tirelessly in these turbulent times to save lives in Ghana.

“Considering the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country in recent times and the general risk of contracting the virus, we have deemed it fit to support the GMA in the fight to contain the virus.”
Dr. Emmanuel Opoku, COCOBOD’s Deputy CEO

On his part, the General Secretary of GMA, Dr Justice Duffu Yankson, revealed that more than 450 doctors and dentists have tested positive for the novel COVID-19 which broke out in the country on March 12, last year. He added that seven out of the affected people have died, some are in health facilities receiving treatment while others have recovered totally from the disease.

“As an association, we have lost seven members to the virus; we have also had more than 450 infected in the line of duty, so we are not taking it lightly at all. Medical personnel can be infected and so can it infect the public.

“We have lost members in the line of duty; we have members who have also got infected. Thankfully, they survived, but we are aware that until we defeat the virus, per the nature of our work, we may get more infections. Therefore, members of society must play their part in order not to escalate the situation.”

He further underscored the need for the public to strictly adhere to the safety protocols, as the virus is no respecter of person.

“COVID-19 is real and anyone or group of persons who think it is someone’s own imagination or someone is trying to deceive people about the virus should revise his or her notes.

“It is our pledge to lead the fight against the virus, such that businesses and life can move back to normalcy, but we will not hesitate to emphasize the need for all members of society to play their roles because what we are currently seeing at the various COVID-19 treatment centres cannot be underestimated.”
Dr. Justice Duffu Yankson, GMA’s General Secretary