Accra: Mrs. Grace Agyemang Asamoah, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Kwanwoma, has presented a range of livelihood-support items worth hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the district. The donation, which was held at the forecourt of the District Assembly, forms part of efforts to empower the beneficiaries economically and improve their wellbeing.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Agyemang Asamoah stated that the initiative aimed to support PWDs to become self-reliant and financially independent. She emphasized the goal of empowering individuals to take control of their lives and livelihoods, noting that the Assembly had supported PWDs in various ways and remained committed to doing more.
Beyond the provision of equipment, the Assembly has also been assisting PWDs by paying medical bills, covering school fees, and providing seed capital to those who applied for financial support to start small-scale businesses. The items distributed included industrial knitting machines, welding machines, popcorn machines, deep freezers, fufu pounding machines, and other income-generating equipment. The selection was based on requests submitted by PWDs, ensuring the support met their individual needs.
The DCE urged beneficiaries to make good use of the items to improve their livelihoods and support their families. She also encouraged other PWDs, who have yet to benefit from the initiative, to register with the Department of Social Welfare to be included in future distributions.
Mr. Yaw Nsafoah, an Executive Member of the PWDs in the district, expressed gratitude to the DCE, the Assembly, and the government for their continued support. He appealed for greater inclusion of PWDs in development planning and called for stronger collaboration between the Assembly and the association.
Madam Hannah Yeboah, the District Director for the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, commended the government for increasing allocations to the Disability Fund. She, however, appealed for the timely release of funds to enable her office to serve more beneficiaries efficiently, especially considering the district's large population.
