The Turkish Embassy has presented 1,000 food parcels provided by the Turkish Coordination and Cooperation Agency (TiKA) to vulnerable and deprived households to help alleviate their difficulties.
The food parcels contained assorted items such as rice, oil, sardines and pasta and were presented to the beneficiary communities through some government institutions and local administrations by the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Ozlem Ergun Ulueren, at separate ceremonies.
Chief Imam
The Ambassador presented 250 food parcels to the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, at his residence at the weekend.
The presentation was to support the Muslims in the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Islamic festival to end the month-long fasting.
The Special Assistant to the Chief Imam, Sheikh Mohammed Osman, received the items on behalf of the cleric.
Mrs Ulueren said the gesture was made, mindful of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had impacted on both the month-long fasting, Ramadan, and the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
“As the father of the Islamic religion, we anticipate that he will be reaching out to the many people who may not be able to provide for their families, so this is to support the Chief Imam to be able to carry out that responsibility,” she said.
She said Turkish non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including the Turkish Diyanet Foundation, had also donated food parcels to 3,000 needy families across the country since the beginning of the Ramadan.
Humanitarian diplomacy
Mrs Ulueren noted that humanitarian diplomacy was an indispensable aspect of Turkish foreign policy, adding that Turkey had been a leading actor in this field with her focus on the human cause, through her official development and humanitarian assistance.
Turkey, the ambassador noted, was determined to continue her engagement with the African continent for the prosperity of the African people and stability of the continent, indicating that there were 15 TiKA programme coordination offices on the African continent through which capacity building, technical and development assistance were provided.
Support for Muslims
The embassy also presented 200 food parcels to the Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, Mr Mustapha Hamid; 150 food parcels each to a Minister of State at the Office of the Vice-President, Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface; the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Sowah, and the Eastern Regional Chief Imam, Yusuf Andani Suleimana.
Additionally, a representative of the Ayawaso North Municipality also received 100 food parcels for distribution in the community.
The presentations were to complement the efforts of the recipients in supporting their various communities in the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Mr Boniface and all who received the items, on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed appreciation to the Turkish Embassy and TiKA for the demonstration of love, concern and friendship.
Source: Graphic Online
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