Government has commenced the distribution of over 47,000 veronica bucket sets and thousands of face masks to churches, mosques and palaces across the country.
They are to be placed at vantage points for worshippers to wash their hand before entering the places of worship and after worship, as well as entering and exiting palaces.
On Sunday, May 31, President Nana Addo Dankwa- Akufo-Addo announced that religious activities would commence in stages, starting from June 5.
He said, “An abridged format for religious services can commence. 25 per cent attendance, with a maximum number of attendances of 100 congregants, can worship at a time in a church or at a mosque, with a mandatory one metre rule of social distancing between congregants.”
9,462 COVID-19 cases
Ghana’s confirmed COVID-19 cases have hit 9,462 after 294 new cases were recorded.
3,547 recoveries
The latest update also saw the country’s recoveries rise to 3,547 from the previous 3,457, an increase of 90.
The veronica bucket is a bucket with a tap near the bottom that is perched above a basin to catch runoff for effective hand washing. It also comprises soap and tissue.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development commenced the distribution in Accra on Friday.
Items for Accra
The items included 9,900 sets of Veronica buckets with metal stands and waste water collection bowls; 9,900 nose masks, 19,800 bottles of liquid soap, 19,800 bottles of hand sanitiser and 9,900 paper tissues.
7,000 Veronica bucket sets for Christians in Accra
The various Christian denominations in Accra received 7,000 veronica bucket sets at a short ceremony held at Action Chapel auditorium on the Spintex Road in Accra.
Breakdown of what each Christian denomination received
The beneficiary Christian denominations are Christian Council – 2,000; Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference – 1,000; Independent Churches of Ghana – 500; National Clergy Association – 100, Seventh Day Adventist Church – 500; National Association of Charismatic Churches Council – 800, United Prayer Network – 500 and Ghana Pentecostal Council – 2,000.
7,400 Face masks for Christians in Accra
The various Christian denominations in Accra also received 7,400 face masks to be distributed to their members.
2,500 Veronica bucket sets for Muslim denominations in Accra
The various Muslim denominations in Accra also received 2,500 veronica bucket sets at a short ceremony held at the Independence Square.
Breakdown of what each Muslim denomination received
Beneficiary Muslim groups are Office of the National Chief Imam – 500; Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission – 300; Shia Muslim Community – 300; Ahlusuna Wal Jamaa – 20; Ghana Muslim Mission – 300; Tijaniya Muslim Community – 300; and Tijaniya Muslim Council- 300.
2,500 Face masks for Muslim community in Accra
The Muslim denominations also received 2,500 face masks to be distributed to their members.
500 Sets be distributed to palaces
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has been allocated 500 sets to be distributed to palaces in Accra.
120 Sets of veronica buckets for each district
Presenting the items to the religious bodies, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama announced that each district will receive 120 sets of veronica buckets for onward distribution to places of worship and palaces.
Over 30,000 sets of veronica buckets for districts
The 260 districts in the country have also been allocated over 30,000 sets of veronica buckets.
Hajia Mahama explained that the items were a token of appreciation from President Akufo-Addo in recognition of the prayers, support and understanding exhibited by the religious groups since the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
She said the items would also help worshippers in the washing of their hands to prevent the spread of the disease when they start their services, in consonance with the directives by the President.
She expressed the President’s gratitude to the religious groups for their fruitful co-operation in the fight against the pandemic.
She thanked the religious groups for their continuous prayer seeking God’s blessings for Ghana.
Hajia Mahama appealed to them to continue to support measures taken by the President in the fight against COVID-19.
Muslim denominations express gratitude to govt
Alhaji Khuzaima Osman, a representative from the Office of the National Chief Imam, who received the items on behalf of the Muslim denominations, expressed gratitude to the government.
He pledged the continuous support for every measure instituted by the President to fight against COVID-19.
He said the donation was also a clear indication of how the President cared about Ghanaians and gave an assurance that the Muslim community would continue to support President Akufo-Addo to deal with the pandemic.
Christian denominations express gratitude to govt
Reverend Sam Korankye Ankrah, who received the items on behalf of the Christian denominations, thanked the government for the gesture.
He said the Christian community in Ghana was grateful to him for his sterling leadership and display of sensitivity in the face of the unseen enemy, the COVID-19.
He said the churches were committed to following measures put in place by the President in the fight against COVID-19.
He dispelled impressions created in a section of the media suggesting that religious bodies were not in support of easing restrictions as not accurate.
