World Red Cross Day is being marked on Saturday in Ghana, with the call on the citizenry to treat environmental sanitation as a top priority for posterity.
The day, under the theme "Urbanization and its Impact on communities" is celebrated worldwide in recognition of the immense humanitarian contribution of Henri Durant, the founder of the Red Cross movement, a worldwide organization that provide humanitarian aid without discrimination to any nationality, race religious beliefs, class or political affiliation.
Speaking at a forum, organized by the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) to mark the day in Accra, Professor Kwabena Mante Bosompem, President of the society, expressed dismay at the deplorable environmental and sanitary
conditions as a result of rapid urbanization and called for pragmatic steps to remedy the situation.
He said it was high time Ghanaians took measures in "making changes in their own community to create a better environment, one neighbourhood and.combat the issues associated with urbanization."
Prof. Bosompem said the GRCS had over the years contributed to humanitarian efforts in the country, citing as examples, the raising of the
living standards of people in conflict zones and high risk flood areas.
"During the Bawku conflict in the Upper East Region, the Society, in association with the International Committee of the Red Cross, donated
relief items to over 1,000 families, who were affected by the conflict," he said.
He said the GRCS was currently involved in a concerted action to improve road safety and to reduce the disabilities and fatalities caused by
road accidents in the country.
The day was also used to launch the official website of the GRCS. The website address is www.ghanaredcross.org.
Mr Nicolas Lang, the Swiss Ambassador, who officially launched the website of the GRCS, called on the media to collaborate with the Society to ensure a sustainable coverage of its activities.
The GRCS is a relief humanitarian organization, which started in 1929 as the League of Maternal and Child Welfare; and in 1932 became the Gold Coast branch of the British Red Cross. On attainment of independence in 1957, it evolved into the Ghana Red Cross Society through an Act of Parliament (The GRCS Act 10, 1958).
With its headquarters in Accra, the GRCS has secretariats in all ten regions. The organisation is also present in 86 districts; with 56,000
volunteers comprising mainly of the youth and women.