The New Juaben South Municipal Assembly (NJSMA) in the Eastern Region has presented working tools and financial support to 41 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the municipality to enhance their livelihoods and help them to become self-reliant.
Twenty-three persons received items to start businesses, while 18 of them received cash totalling GH₵270,000 to cover their medical treatment.
The support was provided through the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development under the District Assemblies Common Fund’s five per cent allocation for PWDs based on the beneficiaries’ assessment needs and business plans.
The items distributed included refrigerators, chest freezers, industrial and electric sewing machines and fufu pounding machines among others.
At a ceremony in Koforidua last Tuesday, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for New Juaben, Ransford Owusu Boakye, encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the support and commended them for their determination to improve their livelihoods.
He explained that the items distributed were based on the beneficiaries' specific needs, which were identified through a vetting exercise conducted by the assembly.
Mr Boakye urged the beneficiaries to use the items and financial support productively to improve their economic well-being, cautioning them against selling the items.
Support PWDs
He urged families and communities to support PWDs in making good use of the items provided to help them establish sustainable livelihoods.
Mr Boakye said the support being provided by the assembly was only a starting point, and should be complemented by assistance from families and the wider community.
The New Juaben South Municipal Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, Josephine Dzokoto, indicated that her outfit would soon lead a team from the assembly to intensify its monitoring exercises for every beneficiary who received support to ensure full utilisation of such items.
The Vice-Chairman of the Ghana Society of Physically Disabled in the area, who is also the Youth Representative of the Ghana Federation of Persons with Disability, Emmanuel Kofi Atiso, expressed concern that some PWDs continue to be on the streets begging despite government`s support and thanked the assembly for its support.
One of the beneficiaries from Koforidua Zango Community, Khajara Haruna, expressed appreciation to the assembly for providing them with such items, adding that it would help improve their lives.
Writer's email
