EU gives Ghana €600,000 to fight cholera

• Posted on June 16, 2015June 16, 2015
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The European Union has announced a €600,000 financial support to Ghana to fight cholera outbreaks in the wake of the June 3 flood which wreaked havoc in Accra.

About 152 lives were lost two weeks ago in a fire and flood disaster that rocked Accra. Health officials fear there could be cholera outbreak on a larger scale as five cases have been recorded already.

The health package was announced at the end of the Political Dialogue Meeting between Ghana and the European Union (EU) in Accra. It was co-chaired by President John Dramani Mahama and EU Ambassador William Hanna.

“The meeting opened with a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the floods and the tragic petrol station fire last week. The EU expressed its deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and to the Ghanaian people. The EU announced financial support to Ghana in this context, starting with a EUR600, 000 package to help Ghana prevent and fight cholera outbreaks,” a communique issued at the end of the meeting.

“The parties welcomed the EUR12 million that the EU has already provided in support to the independent government institutions involved in the electoral process such as the Electoral Commission, the National Media Commission and the National Commission for Civic Education, empowerment initiatives of women and youth, and civil society organisations that promote civic and voter education,” the communique added.

The Political Dialogue Meeting was organised in the framework of Cotonou Agreement which provided a comprehensive, balanced and deep political dialogue and enhanced cooperation guided by the fundamental principles of ownership and joint responsibility, respect for human rights, good governance, democratic principles and the rule of law.