The social welfare department of Abuakwa North Municipal Assembly in Eastern region has economically empowered nineteen (19) persons Living with disability in the municipality through a Start-Up support intervention.
The beneficiaries were seventeen(17) physically challenged and Two (2) visually impaired.
The start-ups included Industrial
Sewing Machines, Knitting Machines, Chest Freezers with Stabilizers, Assorted Cosmetics, Assorted Wax Prints, and Goats according to requests of the individual beneficiary at a total cost of Ghc 53,524.22.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa North, Alhaji Umar Bodinga who presented the items on behalf of the assembly said, the assembly used 3% of the disability fund to purchase the items for the beneficiaries hoping it will be used to generate income for them to improve their living standards.
He reiterated Government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for all Ghanaians irrespective of their circumstance and added that It will continue to develop and implement pro-poor policies to reach out to those in need.
“The assembly would intensify its monitoring to ensure that the items are being used for the intended purpose”, he concluded.
Madam Mercy Amusah,
Director Social Welfare and Community Development ,Abuakwa North Municipal urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the start-up support to make a decent living for themselves.
Persons living with disability account for three percent (3.7%) of Ghana’s population.
However , they continue to face challenges such as stigma and high unemployment forcing many to beg for alms on the streets.
The PWD Act, 2006 (Act 715) set up the Disability Fund which requires that two per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) be set aside for PWDs to minimise poverty among persons with disability to enhance their social image through dignified livelihoods
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
