MCE reaffirms commitment to disability support in Ho

By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA 

Ho, (V/R), Nov. 06, GNA – Mr. Stephen Adom, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ho, has given an assurance that persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in the municipality receive their rightful share of support under the Disability Common Fund. 

He said this during a ceremony on Wednesday in Ho to present livelihood support items to beneficiaries. 

Mr. Adom stated that concerns had been raised over the years by PWDs that resources earmarked for them did not always reach the intended recipients, a situation he said his administration was determined to correct. 

“Our brothers and sisters living with disabilities always complain that items meant for them do not get distributed properly,” he said. 

“Under His Excellency John Mahama’s leadership previously, and now under my tenure, I want to ensure that everything due them is delivered directly into their hands.” 

He explained that the items provided were aimed at reducing hardship and promoting economic independence among beneficiaries. 

“This support is not to give them full comfort but to ease the hardship they face daily so they do not resort to begging,” he noted. 

“I will not allow anyone to deprive them of what belongs to them. That is why I am here personally to supervise and hand over the items.” 

Mr. Adom urged beneficiaries to make the best use of the items to establish sustainable livelihoods. 

“Those who have received industrial machines and working tools must use them to work and expand their ventures. Those who received food items must grow their businesses so that they attain economic stability,” he added. 

He also expressed concern about families who neglect persons with disabilities but return only when benefits are being distributed. 

“These individuals did not choose their conditions. If you abandon them and return only to take what is meant for them, God will not bless you,” he cautioned. 

To ensure accountability and proper use of the support, the MCE announced that a monitoring team will routinely visit beneficiaries. 

“If we find that someone is doing well and needs further support, we will boost their business. There is more funding available, so we must use it responsibly and ensure the right people benefit,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Alex Kwasi Akpo, the Chairman of the Disability Common Fund Management Committee, , outlined the areas supported under the Fund. 

“We cover four main areas — income generation, education and apprenticeship, health and assistive devices and organisational development,” he stated. 

He revealed that five beneficiaries with mental health conditions were currently undergoing rehabilitation with the support of the Social Welfare Unit, which caters for their medication and basic needs. 

During the event, 76 beneficiaries received various support items including: Industrial sewing machines, deep freezers, bags of rice, cooking oil and food ingredients, Laptops, Working capital, Crutches, hearing aids, and other assistive aid, Payment of school fees 

Mr. Akpo added that a revised register of PWDs would soon be compiled to expand the range of beneficiaries under new national guidelines. 

Some recipients who spoke with the GNA expressed gratitude to the Assembly and the Fund Management Committee, saying the support would empower them to sustain their livelihoods and care for their families. 

GNA 

Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah