A retired researcher at the Savanna Agricultural and Research Institute Osufo Patrick Apulla, has appealed to government to consider extending the special aid to Pensioners in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
According to him, Pensioners are facing series of difficulties in the wake of the deadly coronavirus pandemic crises in the country.
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, in an interview with the media after delivering an address to Parliament on the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Monday 30th March 2020, said the government is considering the option of cash transfers to the most vulnerable groups in society in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
He revealed that the possible cash transfers will be targeted at providing relief for the poorest in society.
However, Osufo Apulla who double as Chief of Nyankpala Zongo is on the view that Pensioners are worst-hit by the pandemic in the country.
“The pensioners are suffering on this coronavirus pandemic. Their allowances could not even end a month and then this also came in. In fact, we are suffering, most especially those who are receiving less. We can’t buy anything from the market. Prices of goods have shot up. Imagine a pensioner receiving four hundred Ghana cedis a month, how can you survive in this crises?”, he stated.
“And so, I am appealing to government to come to the aid of pensioners like they are doing to the Kayayei and other vulnerable groups”, he stated.
Meanwhile, government through the Ministries of Finance and Gender, Children and Social Protection, on Sunday 5th April 2020 embarked on a food distribution drive to ensure that needy people in areas under the restriction of movement live in comfort.
The directive which affected Accra, Kumasi, Kasoa and Tema, was part of measures government took to control the spread of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The support was also to ensure that people were not too burdened by the closure of businesses and trade activities, which might have been their source of daily income before the issuance of the directive.
Out of 214 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, three people have recovered with the death toll standing at five, leaving behind a total of 206 active cases.
The extent of the outbreak has encouraged many people to donate by giving in various kinds.
Source:AlhassanYakubu | www.diamondfmonline.com | Ghana
