AMA empowers 35 PWDs with tools, financial aid

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has provided working tools and financial support to 35 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to enhance their livelihoods.

The beneficiaries, comprising 23 males and 12 females, include persons with physical, visual, and intellectual challenges, hearing impairments, albinism, and autism among others.

Among the distributed items were 16 deep freezers, three refrigerators, two popcorn machines, two industrial sewing machines, and seed capital of GH¢2,000 and GH¢300 for nine and 26 others respectively.

The Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey, who distributed the items to the PWDs on Monday urged the beneficiaries to use the items and funds effectively, highlighting the AMA’s commitment to training them in skills such as soap and bead making.

“We want to see PWDs engaged in productive activities rather than on the streets,” she said, urging families and social welfare officers to support and monitor the progress of beneficiaries.

The Mayor reiterated the government’s dedication to supporting PWDs, citing initiatives such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) tailored to their healthcare needs.

Gladys Agbenu, a representative of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) at the AMA, commended the Assembly's efforts and appealed for government assistance in marketing products made by PWDs to combat societal discrimination.

"Factories dedicated to PWDs could provide them a stigma-free working environment," she suggested and urged beneficiaries to utilize the resources wisely for lasting benefits.