By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Oct. 20, GNA – The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) has disbursed an amount of GH¢680,084.25 as its 2026 District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) disability allocation for 208 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Associations in the Metropolis.
The allocation is to help beneficiaries establish or expand income-generating activities through economic empowerment, education, healthcare and organisational development.
Part of the money was used to purchase items like cassava processing machines, car-washing pressure washer, deep-freezers, electric sewing machines, fufu processing machines, knitting machine, pepper milling machines, corn milling machine, overlock machine and motor for a flour milling machine to aid the businesses of the beneficiaries.
In addition, the Assembly is also providing cash support for income-generating activities to 61 persons, comprising 32 females and 29 males at a total cost of GH¢132,000.00
The Assembly will also support 47 beneficiaries with medical needs, made up of 34 females and 23 males, with GH¢102,000, while 42 persons made up of 26 males and 16 females will receive GH¢68,000 for education, training and skills development.
The fund, three per cent of the Metropolitan Assembly’s Common Fund, covered the third and fourth quarters of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, the second-quarter allocation for 2026 has also been received and would be disbursed after monitoring of the current payments.
Mr George Justice Arthur, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Cape Coast, announced the disbursement at a ceremony to hand over the working equipment and cash support to beneficiaries.
He said the intervention formed part of the Assembly’s mandate to promote the welfare and economic independence of all PWDs.
Mr Arthur said economic empowerment received the largest share of the fund, amounting to GH¢340,042.13, representing 50 per cent of the total allocation.
Education and training received GH¢68,008.43, representing 10 per cent, medical care and assistive devices received GH¢102,012.64, representing 15 per cent, support for parents and caregivers of persons with disabilities received GH¢68,008.43.
He said advocacy, organisational development and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) also received GH¢68,008.43 and administrative costs took five per cent of the allocation.
In addition, he said six organisations of PWDs namely, Ghana Federation of the Disabled, Ghana Blind Union, Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, Ghana National Association of the Deaf, Mental Health Society of Ghana and Inclusion Ghana each received GH¢10,000 as organisational development support.
Mr Arthur assured beneficiaries that the Assembly would ensure the funds were used strictly for their intended purpose and not diverted for personal benefits.
He cautioned beneficiaries against selling equipment meant to support their livelihoods, warning that a monitoring committee was in place to inspect how the items and cash support were being used.
“Anyone who receives equipment must use it to work and earn a living. It is not for sale. We shall go round to inspect, and anyone found to have sold the items will be handed over to the law courts,” he warned.
The MCE pledged the Assembly’s commitment to disburse future disability funds promptly to beneficiaries to improve their economic wellbeing and reduce their vulnerability.
Mr Okine Mustapha Aryee, the Metropolitan Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, said the fund support the education and vocational training of students with disabilities, including those in special and integrated schools, as well as medical treatment for persons whose families could not afford care.
Mr Aryee commended the Assembly for promoting inclusive, dignity and the full participation of persons with disabilities in national development.
He urged families of persons with mental health conditions within CCMA to register them with the Department for possible future support.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the CCMA for the support, describing it as a major step towards economic independence.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Isaac Arkoh
Email address: [email protected]