Accra, April 16, GNA – To ensure that Persons with Disability (PWDs) complied with the restriction on movement directive from the President, while living comfortable lives, the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), Korle-Klottey Municipality, on Thursday, distributed food items to them.
The support, which targeted 200 PWDs within the Municipality, is part of the interventions of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, with funding from the Ministry of Finance, to support the needy and vulnerable.
The PWDs, including the visually impaired, the physically challenged and parents of children with cerebral palsy, were given food items such as rice, yam, mackerel, canned tomato, cooking oil and sardines.
Mrs Lydia Winifred Mensah-Bonsu, the Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, DSW, Korle-Klottey Municipality, explained that some of the beneficiaries had been neglected by their families, while others could do nothing for themselves, especially when it came to finding their basic daily meals.
“There are even some parents with about three or four children with the same disability and usually their fathers leave them because of their condition,” she stated. “So the mother in question cannot do everything by herself, especially those who cannot work because they need to give their children continuous attention.
“Therefore, we need to support them”.
She said the Department mobilised the beneficiaries by making an announcement in the area, adding that, they would organise similar activities to ensure that most PWDs in the Municipality were covered.
Mr Bernard Yingura, the Municipal Coordinating Director, advised the beneficiaries to observe the COVID-19 safety measures, especially the social distancing protocol at their various homes to stay safe.
“We know that sometimes you like getting closer to yourselves to engage in conversations to keep yourselves alive, but please bear in mind that this is not a normal time and, therefore, all such meetings should end for your own safety,” he advised.
Madam Ester Akua Gyamfi, the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Persons with Disability, reiterated the need for the PWDs to show more concern about their health because of their preconditions.
She said many PWDs had weak immune system, hence they could easily contract the virus if they did not adhere to the safety measures.
She encouraged them to use the items appropriately and appealed to benevolent individuals and organisations to support government in its quest to ensure the welfare of citizens.
GNA