Nkawie (Ash), Oct 31 The Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Assembly has presented start-up funds and livelihood empowerment items valued at GH¢192,000 to 54 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the municipality.
Out of the total amount, 32 beneficiaries received cheques worth GH¢94,000 to support education, healthcare, assistive devices, and small-scale income-generating ventures.
The Assembly also distributed 15 deep freezers, three fufu pounding machines, three wheelchairs, and one laptop computer, collectively valued at GH¢98,000, to selected recipients.
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Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr Wisdom Osei Boamah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said the support formed part of the government’s policy to allocate three percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to persons with disabilities.
He said the initiative was designed to promote self-reliance among PWDs and enhance their participation in socio-economic development.
“This support is to ensure that our brothers and sisters with disabilities are not left behind but are given the means to work, earn a living, and support their families,” Mr Boamah said.
He further revealed that President John Dramani Mahama intends to increase the DACF allocation for PWDs from three to five percent next year — a move expected to expand assistance to vulnerable groups nationwide.
Mr Gaspard Seyth Amponsah, the Municipal Social Development Officer, described the intervention as timely, particularly ahead of the festive season, and said his department would closely monitor beneficiaries to ensure the resources were used for their intended purposes.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Peter Akwasi Okyere, the Municipal Secretary of the PWDs Association, expressed gratitude to the government and the Assembly for their continued support. He appealed for the swift implementation of the proposed five percent DACF allocation to further strengthen empowerment initiatives for PWDs across the country.
