Willing Ways Foundation CEO Wins ‘Extraordinary Philanthropic Achievement Award of the Year’

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Willing Ways foundation Ghana, a Kumasi based rehabilitation centre for drug addicts and alcoholics Madam Lydia Abena Manu and her outfit have been honored by the Ghana Philanthropy Forum for their humanitarian works.

Madam Abena Manu, a 2018 BBC heroes award nominee was presented with an “Extraordinary Philanthropic Achievement Award of the Year” award 2019. The colorful event which was held at the University of Ghana’s ISSER conference hall was attended by several dignitaries and celebrities in Ghana, Africa and some part of the world.

The Awards event is held annually to climax the National Philanthropy Forum, which brings together philanthropists and representatives of non-profit organizations as well as public and private sector actors to engage in discussions aimed at improving Ghana’s philanthropy space.

According to Dr Ben Ocra, President of the Ghana Philanthropy Forum which organized the events, the awards scheme was instituted to recognize the efforts of philanthropists and nonprofit groups in celebrating and encouraging them.

“By this awards, we do not seek to pay them back for their benevolence, but instead, to appreciate their efforts, hoping they get encouraged to do more for society”, he said. Madam Lydia Abena Manu and the Willing Ways foundation team have been resolute in their bid to reduce the alarming rate of drug addiction and alcoholics in the country through their education and sensitization programmes are being organized regularly as well as treatment of drug addicts to get them out from the ghettos.

The Willing Ways Foundation have so far treated and transformed the lives of over 450 drug addicts and alcoholics from various parts of the country and outside Ghana.
The foundation’s target is to ensure that drug addicts and alcoholics are taken off the streets and ghettos in the country and also educate the public on how to live and handle drug addicts and the mentally deranged.

Receiving the award Madam Lydia Abena Manu, said the foundation would not relent in the pursuit of its goal of reducing drug addiction and educating the public especially the youth on the causes and effects of hard drugs and excessive intake of alcohol.

She however called on Government, Civil Society Organizations and other well doing individuals to support the Willing Ways to be able to win the fight against drug addiction. According to her, financing such an entity is a hard nut and that they would need support from the general public and other philanthropists.

Meanwhile administrator for Willing Ways foundation Mr. Ernest Owusu Nketia lauded the Ghana Philanthropy Forum for recognizing the good works of their foundation and assured that they will rest not until their goals are achieved.

Source: Thepressradio.com/Evans Agyei Sikapa