11 On Friday, September 7, 2018, the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly of the Eastern Region distributed assorted items to support some 68 persons with disabilities (PWDs) to improve their living standards. The items, which are to help the beneficiaries venture into commercially viable activities, were procured from their share of the common fund allocated to the Assembly.
Persons with disabilities(PWDs) have a 3% share of all quarterly releases of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) meant for their upkeep. The Fund was previously disbursed in cash to physically challenged persons for their use.
The government, however, took a decision that instead of handing out cash to the beneficiaries which they usually dissipated in no time, it was better to ensure that the money was used to secure sources of living with their consent.
In compliance with this directive therefore, the Assembly decided to use the funds to set them up in small business ventures which would help improve their economic status instead of taking the cash.
At a brief ceremony held at the Assembly’s premises to distribute the items, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Yaw Owusu Addo, presented some brand new refrigerators deep freezers, sewing machines and some electrical appliances to the beneficiaries to enable them to start businesses on their own and become self-reliant.
Hon. Owusu Addo with the assistance of the Municipal Coordinating Director, Alhaji Musah Issah, also presented gas ovens, plastic chairs as well as some food items and livestock, based on the requests made by some of the beneficiaries.
According to the Hon. MCE, a total of GHȼ90,894.55 was spent to procure the items for the beneficiaries who were made up of 43 physically challenged persons, 14 visually impaired as well as 11 others suffering from hearing impairment. The items were received directly by the individual beneficiaries.
Present at the ceremony were the Chairman of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled in the Municipality, Joseph Abankwa and Joseph Adu who is also the Chairperson of the Assembly’s Disability Fund Management Committee, Presiding Member of the Assembly, Assembly members, HODs and staff of the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly as well as the Media.
