A team from Zenith Bank Ghana Limited, Ho branch, paid a visit to the Vice Chancellor’s office to deliver the bank’s donation of 5,000 cedis to further the work of the UHAS COVID-19 testing Centre. Mr. Confidence Lumor, Branch Head, who was accompanied by Mr. Eric Aggor-Ohene, Relationship Manager, said this initial donation was in fulfillment of their promise made during their previous visit to UHAS, and that the bank would continue to do its part to support the fight against COVID-19.
Vice Chancellor Professor John Gyapong told the two guests that since the UHAS Testing Centre began processing samples at the end of April, the lag time for receiving results of samples taken from Volta and Oti residents had reduced from 10-to-14 days down to 24-to-48 hours. “This changes the outlook significantly,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor also said the University had made the decision to offer its laboratory facility as a testing centre because “when we have these national emergencies, everyone should get on board.”
Since operations began, many local businesses have indeed come on board by braving the untarred roads leading to the main campus in Sokode-Lokoe to declare their support in cash and kind. For instance, members of the Ghana Hotels Association Volta Chapter even took turns every two weeks, providing lunch for the 20-person staff of the Centre. However, many local businesses have fallen victim to the harsh financial climate caused by the pandemic, and the help has dwindled. Thanking the bank for its generosity, Professor Gyapong said, “donations like this go a long way” in bridging the gap.