Government has begun the distribution of over 47,000 veronica bucket sets and thousands of face masks to churches, mosques and palaces across the country to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The veronica bucket is a bucket with a tap near the bottom that is perched above a basin to catch runoff for effective hand washing. It also comprises soap and tissue.
The items are to be placed at vantage points for worshippers to wash their hands before entering the places of worship and after worship, as well as entering and exiting palaces.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday May 31, announced that religious activities would commence in stages, starting from June 5.
“An abridged format for religious services can commence. 25 per cent attendance, with a maximum number of attendances of 100 congregants, can worship at a time in a church or at a mosque, with a mandatory one metre rule of social distancing between congregants,” he indicated.
Items donated in Accra
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development led by the Sector Minister Hajia Alima Mahama started the distribution in Accra on Friday.
The items included 9,900 sets of Veronica buckets with metal stands and waste water collection bowls; 9,900 nose masks, 19,800 bottles of liquid soap, 19,800 bottles of hand sanitiser and 9,900 paper tissues.
The various Christian denominations in Accra received 7,000 veronica bucket sets at a short ceremony held at Action Chapel auditorium on the Spintex Road in Accra.
Breakdown
The beneficiary Christian denominations are Christian Council – 2,000; Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference – 1,000; Independent Churches of Ghana – 500; National Clergy Association – 100, Seventh Day Adventist Church – 500; National Association of Charismatic Churches Council – 800, United Prayer Network – 500 and Ghana Pentecostal Council – 2,000.
7,400 Face masks for Christians in Accra
The various Christian denominations in Accra also received 7,400 face masks to be distributed to their members.
2,500 Veronica bucket sets for Muslims in Accra
The various Muslim denominations in Accra also received 2,500 veronica bucket sets at a short ceremony held at the Independence Square.
Breakdown
Beneficiary Muslim groups are Office of the National Chief Imam – 500; Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission – 300; Shia Muslim Community – 300; Ahlusuna Wal Jamaa – 200; Ghana Muslim Mission – 300; Tijaniya Muslim Community – 300; and Tijaniya Muslim Council- 300.
2,500 Face masks for Muslim community
The Muslim community in Accra also received 2,500 face masks to be distributed to their members.
500 Sets for palaces
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has been allocated 500 sets to be distributed to palaces in Accra.
120 Sets of veronica buckets for each district
Presenting the items to the religious bodies, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama announced that each district will receive 120 sets of veronica buckets for onward distribution to places of worship and palaces.
Over 30,000 sets of veronica buckets for districts
The 260 districts in the country have also been allocated over 30,000 sets of veronica buckets.
Hajia Mahama explained that the items were a token of appreciation from President Akufo-Addo in recognition of the prayers, support and understanding exhibited by the religious groups since the onset of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
She said the items would also help worshippers in the washing of their hands to prevent the spread of the disease when they start their services, in consonance with the directives by the President.
She expressed President Akufo-Addo’s gratitude to the religious groups for their fruitful co-operation in the fight against the pandemic.
Hajia Alima also thanked the religious groups for their continuous prayer in seeking God’s blessings for Ghana.
She appealed to them to continue to support measures taken by President Akufo-Addo in the fight against COVID-19.
Appreciation
Alhaji Khuzaima Osman, a representative from the Office of the National Chief Imam and Founder and Apostle General of the Royalhouse Chapel International on behalf of Muslim and Christian communities respectively, expressed their gratitude to the government.
They pledged their continuous support for every measure instituted by President Akufo-Addo to fight against COVID-19.
The donation, according to them, was also a clear indication of how the President cared about Ghanaians and gave an assurance that the Muslim and Christian communities would continue to support President Akufo-Addo to deal with the pandemic.
