The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Sackey, has participated in the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the Mother Theresa Soup Kitchen Centre at Sempe in the Greater Accra Region.

The Soup Kitchen, spearheaded by Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, the parish priest of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra, with the support of the Parish Pastoral Council, aims to, among other things, provide meals, clothing, and training for underprivileged children living on the streets.

Speaking at the event, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, commended Father Campbell's initiative in establishing the Mother Theresa Soup Kitchen and reiterated the government's commitment to supporting initiatives like this, in line with its policy on Gender, Children, and Social Protection.

"This project is in line with the government's policy on Gender, Children, and Social Protection, and we are committed to supporting it. We believe that by helping Father Campbell, we are helping all Ghanaians, especially the most downtrodden in our society," Vice President Bawumia said. 

He also announced his patronage of the Fr. Campbell SVD Foundation, which would focus on advocacy and intervention for issues such as leprosy, street children, rural development, and child health.

The Vice President praised the Ga Mantse and his foundation for their instrumental role in the project and announced that a hospitality school, funded by Austria, would be situated in the area to complement Father Campbell's efforts.

"The Ga Mantse and His Foundation have been very instrumental and are one of our biggest partners for this project. Their swift action and interest in the project are admirable and humbling," he said.

He assured that the government would expedite and complete ongoing GetFund projects in the area and address security concerns by constructing a wall around the entire enclave.

The Mayor of Accra, in an interview on the sidelines of the event,  emphasised the importance of such initiatives in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable children and reaffirmed the city's support for the project.

She expressed optimism about the impact the project would have on the community, adding that the project was not just about providing food and clothing; but also giving children the tools needed to build a better future for themselves. 

Father Campbell expressed his gratitude to the Vice President for his continued support of his foundation, appealing for support from stakeholders to actualize his vision of supporting the needy and eradicating streetism.

The Ga Mantse on his part, appealed to the Minister of Education to fast-track the remodelling of the Sempe Cluster of schools and other uncompleted educational structures in the community to create an enabling environment fit for teaching and learning.

He expressed appreciation to Father Campbell and his foundation for the philanthropic gesture to support street children with hot meals, skill development, and the provision of education.