By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Sege, Nov. 30, GNA – The Ada West District Assembly has disbursed items and funds to 88 Persons with Disability as part of the assembly’s statutory obligation to empower beneficiaries to become self-reliant using three percent of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).
The items included deep freezers, fertilisers, plastic chairs, tarpaulin, wheelchairs, charcoal, bags of sugar, rice, and financial support, among others.
Mr Sampson Tetteh Kpankpah, Ada West Chief Executive disbursing the items, noted that the assembly was committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their abilities, had an opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Mr Kpankpah disclosed that empowering PWDs was not an act of charity but a recognition of their rights while investing in the future of the district.
He mentioned that 57 of the PWDs were supported under the economic and business category, while 20 received equipment, three received educational support, six had health and assistive devices, and 20 were put into apprenticeship.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to make best use of the various support received.
Mr Doetse Philip, Head of the Social Welfare and Community Development, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the department had two quarters of the 2024 District Assembly Common Fund and some arrears from 2023 amounting to GHC 200,000.00.
“We are giving GHC 62,300.00 cash items, and the rest were used to procure the other items. The applications are a continuous thing, and to when the funds are available, the District Disability Fund Management Committee sits to vet the applications and work on it,” he emphasised.
Some beneficiaries expressed their satisfaction over the disbursement, noting that it has been a relief for some of them, making them self-reliant.
Mr Djangmatey Okumo from Lolonya, who requested GHC 2000.00 to rear animals, expressed gratitude for the assembly’s efforts.
Mr. Joseph Olaga from Talibanya told the GNA that he has benefitted from the disability fund by getting an incubator and GHC 500.00 in the past, disclosing that he used the proceeds to acquire corn and cassava mills, indicating that he reapplied for GHC 1,000.00 to venture into animal rearing.
The GNA observed that the PWDs are excited over the continuous support given them by the District Assembly.
GNA