GHANA – Consumer goods giant, Unilever Ghana Plc has donated seven handheld ventilators to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, to support their effort in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Ghanaian Times, the UGMC and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital received four and three ventilators, respectively.

The HR Director of Unilever Ghana, Michael Otchere Duah, who led the team to make the donation, noted that the donation was additional to the many product and awareness campaigns Unilever had extended to institutions and organisations to support the fight against COVID-19.

“These are vital equipment which will contribute immensely to healthcare delivery and equip the hospital in its effort at fighting the spread of coronavirus.“

Dr Ali Samba – Ag Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

The Chief Executive Officer of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Dr Darius Kofi Osei, thanked Unilever Ghana for the kind gesture and assured the equipment will be put to good use.

He indicated that the institution’s 1000 bed facility has been one of the frontline health facilities for the treatment of COVID-19 cases and their staff have had to work hard to protect lives.

The Ag Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Ali Samba, said, “These are vital equipment which will contribute immensely to healthcare delivery and equip the hospital in its effort at fighting the spread of coronavirus. I call on other corporate bodies and stakeholders to emulate this good gesture by Unilever Ghana Limited.”

Dr Samba was happy about the lower COVID-19 infection numbers recorded lately in the country, but cautioned that the disease was still around, hence the need to continue with the observance of all the preventive protocols.

2020 interim financial results

For its half year 2020 period, Unilever Ghana has posted revenue of GH¢204.1 million (US$35.3m), a drop from GH¢314.0 million (US$54.3m) recorded in the same period last year.

The company explained that even though a decline in revenue was registered, the turnover achieved was in line with management’s forecasts.

However, the decline in turnover was on account of efforts initiated to refresh its route to market operations across the country and to stabilize its trade stock in line with the objective of reducing stock within its distribution network in Quarters 3 and 4, 2019.

An operating loss of GH¢ 13.7 million (US$2.3m) was recorded for quarter 2 of 2020 Compared to a profit of GH¢ 27.2 million (US$4.7m) for the same period in 2019.

The Management of Unilever Ghana Limited retains a positive outlook on its performance in the second half of the year 2020, in the light of the gains recorded from its refreshed route to market and trade stabilization initiatives.

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