By James Esuon
Swedru (C/R), Aug. 29, GNA – Mr Eric Gyamfi Odoom, Agona West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has presented items and cash totalling GHS224,000 to 83 People with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Municipality to improve their wellbeing and support sustainable livelihoods.
The items included industrial sewing machines, industrial neatening machines, fufu machines, chest freezers, laptops and cash ranging from GHS1,500 to GHS2,000.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr Odoom said the increase in the Disability share of the District Assemblies Common Fund from three to five per cent was a promise in the NDC manifesto being fulfilled.
He said the government, under President John Mahama, was committed to ensuring regular disbursement of the fund to improve the welfare of PWDs and their families.
The MCE said government had paid the last quarter of 2025, while the first-quarter 2026 share would soon be disbursed to cushion beneficiaries and reduce their financial hardships.
Mr Odoom reminded PWDs that disability was not inability to work, noting that some PWDs had attained professorial, doctoral and master’s qualifications and were excelling in various fields.
He urged beneficiaries not to sell the items but use them productively to establish sustainable livelihoods and reduce dependence on begging.
The MCE also cautioned caregivers, particularly those assisting persons who were blind, against taking undue advantage of them by taking a large portion of their money.
Mr Robert Baah, Agona West Municipal Director of Social Welfare, commended the government for increasing the allocation to PWDs and ensuring regular disbursement of the 2025 share.
He said the PWDs Disbursement Committee would continue to monitor the items distributed to ensure the government’s objective of reducing financial hardship among PWDs was achieved.
Mr Baah also commended the MCE for his commitment, compassion and prudent care for PWDs in the Municipality, assuring those who did not benefit from the last quarter’s allocation that they would automatically benefit from the first-quarter 2026 share.
Mr Mohammed Tanko, outgoing Agona West President of the Ghana Federation of Disabled, expressed gratitude to the government for the timely disbursement of the funds.
He said the Disbursement Committee would conduct monitoring and evaluation to ensure that beneficiaries retained the items received.
He added that the committee would continue working to ensure Federation members were adequately supported.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Audrey Dekalu