Staff of CSU and workers at the K’si Cheshire Home in a pose with the donated items
The Christian Service University (CSU) has demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility by donating assorted food items, toiletries and medicines valued at GH₵10,000 to the Kumasi Cheshire Home at Edwenase in the Kwadaso Municipality.
The donation, which took place on Friday, August 29, 2025, formed part of the university’s 50th anniversary activities and its annual outreach to vulnerable groups in society.
Speaking at the event, CSU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Stephen Banahene, explained that as a faith-based institution, the university sees its mandate as extending beyond education.
“Our faith requires us to connect with society and reach out to people in need. Over the years, we have supported prisons and other vulnerable groups. Today, we are here at Cheshire Home to begin a long-lasting partnership, and this is only the beginning,” he noted.
Dr. Banahene further urged both corporate bodies and individuals to emulate CSU’s example by supporting institutions that care for the disadvantaged. “Today you may be strong, but tomorrow you may be in need. That is why we must reflect and join resources to make an impact,” he added.
For her part, Head of CSU Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee and lecturer at CSU’s Nursing and Midwifery Department, Alice Aluwah Blay, said the gesture was inspired by scripture and also by the university’s relationship with the home.
“Many of our students come here for training and to care for patients. It was only natural that we extend a hand of support. We are fulfilling both our faith charge and our duty as a socially responsible institution,” she said.
Items presented included rice, beans, gari, maize, sugar, loaves of bread, tomato paste, tin fish, milk powder, groundnut paste, soft drinks, sanitary pads, detergents, soap, first aid medicines, and other essentials.
Receiving the donation, Ms. Harriet Osei Owusu, Public Health Officer and Nurse Manager of the Home, thanked CSU for its timely intervention.
“We are extremely grateful to CSU for thinking about us. Some of the items donated were exactly what we lacked and needed most,” she said.
She, however, expressed concern about the challenges the home is facing.
“Our bed capacity is 55 but we currently care for 30 patients. We used to have a vocational training centre where patients learned sandal making, beads, hairdressing and tie-and-dye. Sadly, our machines have broken down and the patients are left idle, which is a big challenge, especially for substance users who risk relapsing,” she explained.
Ms. Osei Owusu appealed for support to revive the vocational centre, renovate the facility, paint the buildings, and construct a ladies’ washroom. She also called for dryers, sewing equipment and other training materials to restore skills training for patients.
“The government provides some programme drugs, but we do not receive everything we need. We therefore plead with individuals, organisations and benevolent societies to come to our aid,” she added.
The CSU delegation was made up of staff, faculty and students, who joined in presenting the items to the home.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi