By Philip Tengzu
Lawra, (UW/R), Dec. 19, GNA – The European Union Ghana Agricultural Programme (EUGAP), has celebrated some Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the Lawra Municipality as part of activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
As part of the celebration, the EUGAP, implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), recognised four groups of PwDs in the municipality with citations for their contribution to agriculture and the local economy.
International Day of PwDs is celebrated every 3rd December to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development.
It was also aimed to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
The 2024 celebration was on the theme: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”.
The visibly elated PwDs at the event, did not minced words in commending GIZ for recognising and celebrating them on that “special day.”
Madam Perpetual Dabuo, a member of the Gbengbe Sung-zel Group, thanked the GIZ for supporting her with farm inputs including fertilizer, which had enabled her to earn a livelihood.
“At first I found it difficult to get money to support myself but when I joined this group, GIZ supported me with fertilizer to farm and through that I now have some animals I am rearing to support myself,” she explained.
EUGAP has exhibited commitment to inclusivity and empowering all members of society including PwDs.
As part of that commitment, EUGAP had established Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) to provide sustainable access to finances, which enabled members to invest in their livelihoods and build resilience.
Through its agricultural training such as demonstration plots and financial support, EUGAP was empowering persons with disabilities to contribute to their communities’ development and improve their quality of life.
Mr Andrews Kuukaara, a leader of the Federation of Persons with Disabilities in the municipality, expressed concern about the difficulty of their members in accessing funds from the Assembly’s Disability Common Fund.
He said after over six months of applying for the funds some PwDs were yet to receive their money to engage in some menial businesses to support themselves.
Mr Kuukaara, therefore, appealed to the Municipal Assembly to put in deliberate efforts and measures including liaising with the leadership of the PwDs in the Municipality to facilitate their timely access to the money when they applied for it.
Mr Issahaq Abdul Moomin, the Lawra Municipal Social Welfare Officer, entreated the leadership of the Federation of Persons with Disabilities in the municipality, to put in place innovative plans and strategies to protect the dignity, rights, social and economic well-being of their members always.
GNA