By Emmanuella Owusu, GNA
Ashaiman, Sept. 15, GNA – Mr Ernest Norgbey, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, has urged Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the municipality to unite and strengthen their collective voice to advance their welfare and development.
Mr Norgbey said internal divisions and the emergence of splinter groups could undermine the community’s ability to advocate effectively for its members and collaborate with authorities on development initiatives.
He made the call during a distribution exercise for beneficiaries of the District Assemblies Common Fund Disability Fund in Ashaiman.
He said the five per cent allocation from the District Assemblies Common Fund was intended to empower PWDs to establish sustainable livelihoods and generate income to support themselves and their families, rather than for ad-hoc consumption
“The money that comes is for them,” he said, stressing the need for beneficiaries to use the support for its intended purpose.
The MP expressed concern that disagreements and fragmentation within the disability community had created unnecessary tensions and weakened its collective voice.
He said such divisions had, in the past, affected development initiatives, including capacity-building and artisan training programmes designed to equip members with practical skills.
He urged the disability community to work towards electing a cohesive leadership structure by the end of the year to provide an effective umbrella body capable of engaging local and national authorities.
Mr Norgbey also assured the beneficiaries that empowerment programmes, including training in dressmaking and other vocational skills, would resume, alongside the provision of start-up toolkits to promote self-reliance.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Linda Asante Agyei
15 September 2026
Reporter: Emmanuella Owusu, GNA