A powerful partnership between the McDan Foundation and the RIDNE Food Consortium took centre stage in La as thousands of widows and vulnerable women benefited from a large-scale outreach initiative.
Held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the McDan La Town Park, the 2026 edition of the McDan Widows Support Project brought relief, healthcare, and renewed hope to approximately 7,000 beneficiaries from La and nearby communities.
The collaboration between the McDan Foundation and RIDNE Food Consortium proved instrumental in the scale and success of the initiative. Leveraging shared values around food security, social responsibility, and community empowerment, both organizations delivered a comprehensive support package that combined essential food distribution with free medical care.
A high-powered delegation from Ukraine was present to support the initiative, underscoring the growing international dimension of the partnership. Among them were Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine; Oleksiy Pinchuk, Director of the Department of Rural Development; Ivan Lukachuk, Head of the Ukrainian Mission in Ghana; Oleksii Khvorostianyi, Chief Executive Officer of RIDNE Food Consortium; Serhii Kovalchuk, Commercial Director of the Consortium; Michael Penrose, Advisor on food from Ukraine and advisor to RIDNE; Kostyantyn Romanets, Operations Director; and Joshua Asamoah Kyetemeh, RIDNE’s representative to Africa.
On the ground, staff from across all subsidiaries of the McDan Group played a critical role in coordinating logistics and ensuring the smooth distribution of items and services, reflecting a unified corporate commitment to social impact.
Beneficiaries received a wide range of food and household essentials, including rice, gari, pasta, drinks, water, and biscuits. In addition, a comprehensive health screening exercise was conducted in partnership with the Viva Health Medical Foundation, offering services such as eye examinations, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, bone and joint assessments, hearing tests, BMI and nutritional screening, as well as mental wellness consultations. Prescribed medications were also provided at no cost.
The initiative, estimated at GHS 1 million, highlights the scale of investment behind the programme and the shared commitment of both partners to improving lives.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Daniel McKorley, Founder of the McDan Group, described the partnership with RIDNE as a strong and growing one, built on mutual trust and a shared vision for community development. He noted that plans are far advanced to expand the initiative beyond Ghana to other African countries, leveraging the strength of the partnership to reach even more vulnerable populations.
International stakeholders also commended the initiative. Michael Penrose lauded Dr. McKorley’s unwavering commitment to supporting communities, describing the project as a model of impactful collaboration between Africa and international partners.
For the thousands of women who gathered at the La Town Park, the programme continues to be more than just an outreach—it is a lifeline. Several beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation, noting that they look forward to the initiative each year for both the relief it provides and the sense of care and recognition it brings.
As the McDan Foundation and RIDNE Food Consortium deepen their collaboration, the Widows Support Project is steadily evolving into a cross-border model for sustainable social impact—one that blends compassion, partnership, and long-term vision.
