The Ear Aid Project has 85 per cent of the cost sponsored by Beirut Freedom Lions club from Lebanon District 351, and 15 per cent sponsored by Lebanese companies in Ghana. Raja Jabour, President of the Beirut Lions Club, who was speaking at the launch in Accra, said Korle-Bu had 712 cases of hearing problems that required hearing aids.

He said 75 per cent of male and female patients at the Hospital were   below 35 years of age.

Kweku Agyemang Manu, the Minister of Health said: “The ministry is planning strategically to do advocacy, and bring awareness to what we can do to help the situation. Early detection is key in solving the problem.”

“Technology exists for detection of hearing loss at the earliest stage of development and intervention techniques are well established and this is gratifying to know.  “However, a significant proportion of hearing loss is attributable to excessive noise exposure and this can be prevented by implementation of our laws on environmental protection.”

Ali Halaby, the Lebanese Ambassador, said the Lebanese community in Ghana, recognising their common bonds and interests, which they share had initiated a number of projects to contribute their quota to the welfare of Ghanaians.

He said more than hundred Ghanaians had benefited from scholarships offered by the Lebanese community in Ghana. The Ambassador said: “I want to assure the Minister of Health hear that, this community stands to support any initiatives in the health sector that will better the lives of Ghanaians.”

 William Abakah, Junior President of the Tema Lions Club said the Lions in Ghana have initiated some projects including the Cape Coast Hearing Assessment Centre; the ultra-modern Eye hospital at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital which was a partnership with Moorfields Eye Hospital in the UK; and the eye care centre at the Tema General Hospital.

He expressed gratitude to the companies and the media that supported the programme.

Mr Frank Ayivor, President of the Accra Golden Lions Club called on the media, and other stakeholders to support the Ghana Ear Project. Lions Clubs in Ghana are part of a bigger body that is, the Lions Club International which was established in Chicago, US in 1917.

The club in Ghana is more than 30 years. Lions help communities in need around the world.