Ministry of Tourism embarks on massive donation to veteran actors amid coronavirus pandemic

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Creative Arts Council have made donation of food and relief items to veteran actors and creative arts people amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The likes of Naa Amanua of Wulomei, Grace Nortey, Maame Dokono among others received the items in their various homes. The items donated included bags of rice, cooking oil, box of mackerel, box of gino tomatoes among others.

Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi during the presentation to the veteran actors said the donation forms part of the Ministry social responsibility to reach out to seniors in the Industry as well as create more awareness in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

”At this time of coronavirus and lockdown in addition, the most affected areas in unfortunate matters like this is the Tourism and Arts sector, we survive on events, events that draws the public to one area, these sorts of activities are not happening again.

”Small and big entertainment businesses are all suffering and as we are approaching the Easter festivity, we deem it fit that we should support some of our aged in the Industry. People cannot go out in this lockdown announcement by the President especially the aged, reason why we see it necessary to look within and see what we can do to support the players in our Industry. This donation from the Ministry would go a long way to help the aged in times like this.” she said.

Support

Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi also revealed that, her Ministry has begun discussions with Government for initial stimulus package to be put in place for some financial resources to help Industry players rejuvenate and make their businesses strong again after the pandemic.

The tourism sector could lose about US$200 million within the next month or two if the Coronavirus pandemic continues. Already, some hotels, restaurants and car rental companies have begun laying off employees, largely contract staff.

But Tourism Minister said plans are far advanced with necessary stakeholders in the form of a stimulus package to bring some relief to its members.

”The Ministry is in a discussion with government to see what stimulus package can be put in place so that, by the time the pandemic is over, we would have access to some financial resources which will help the Industry players to rejuvenate their businesses. The Finance Minister days ago announced a stimulus package to SMEs across various businesses which would be done through the Trade Ministry, we are also going to engage them and see which businesses within our Sector can also benefit from such good intervention.

”We also have world bank tourism development project, under that project also, we are engaging the world bank officials to see if we can have a component to support the Tourism value change because they recognise this as an essential matter. This is to help the players in the Industry to be on their fit after the pandemic” she indicated.

Education

She used the opportunity to educate the veteran actors about the guidelines outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and health expects in the country which include social distancing, hand washing and wearing the appropriate face masks to prevent contracting the COVID-19.

She urged them to observe personal hygiene to stop the spread of the deadly disease.

Appreciation

Maame Dokono in her remarks expressed appreciation to the Ministry for the kind gesture indicating that, good deeds like this goes a long to make them relieved as well as takes them out of their lonely lifestyle.

”Most often, we feel that our past deeds wasn’t enough for the current generation but visits like this makes us get sense of belonging again. I’m grateful to Honourable Minister and any other person here. Just that visits like this should be on continuous base to make us not to feel rejected. I am very happy seeing all of us here today and very sure the many others you’ve earlier visited and plan of visiting ahead would feel same” she said.

According to her, some of her colleagues died as paupers because there was no assistance coming from anywhere adding that, it was that reason those at the helm of affairs currently must care about their plight in old age.