IPR distributes GHC100,000 worth of face masks to help prevent spread of Covid-19 during elections

The Institute of Public Relations Ghana (IPR) has donated GHS100,000.00 worth of face-masks to the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) for distribution in high-need communities. The gesture is to enable hundreds of thousands of underprivileged registered voters who may not be able to afford their own masks, to exercise their franchise in a safe environment, and ultimately limit the spread of COVID-19 during the elections.

Over 17 million Ghanaians go to the polls to elect a new President and 275 Members of Parliament in an election predicted to be a close race between the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The election is taking place in the middle of the COVID-19 global pandemic with concerns of safety for the millions of registered voters, and the Electoral Commission has announced that voters without face masks will not be allowed to participate in the elections.

Read More: Credibility of 2020 Elections Relies on Information – Nana Aba Anamoah advises Bloggers & Journalists

The donation of face masks was mainly sponsored by IPR’s members and corporate partners as a third leg of a series of interventions to support the national efforts of winning the COVID-19 battle. Earlier in the year, IPR had raised money through voluntary contributions for two COVID-19 social intervention efforts namely “IPR do your bit” and the Anti-Stigmatization” campaigns. The nose-masks will be distributed to voters across the country including the following places:

Agbogbloshie Market, Old Fadama, Dome Market, Ashiaman Market, Madina Market, Kaneshie Market

Mallam-Attah Market, Chorkor, Nina Market, Kasoa, among others.

The IPR team will also educate the voters on the Covid-19 safety protocols and how to ensure their safety while exercising their franchise in the 2020 general elections. The items were presented on behalf of the Institute by its President, Mawuko Afadzinu, and Vice-President Henry Nii Dottey.

“We are pleased to make an impact. We encourage our members to use their platforms and voices to spread goodwill and not divisive rhetoric”, said Mr Afadzinu.

The Institute hopes to continue to contribute its quota toward ensuring a Ghana free of Covid-19 infections.