News Categories: Community

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.

In line with their commitment to ensuring that ongoing road construction in the Kwahu West Municipality meet acceptable standards, Hon. Eric Kwakye Darfour, who doubles as the MP for Nkawkaw Constituency and the Eastern Regional Minister together with the MCE of Kwahu West Municipal Assembly, Hon. Yaw Owusu Addo toured the Municipality to inspect the on-going road projects Nkawkaw Township.
The project which is funded by the Ghana Road Fund (GRF) commenced in December, 2017 and is expected to be completed within eighteen (18) months.
The project which is a 10km bituminous surfacing is being undertaken by Berock Ventures Limited and it will cover the following areas: Nkawkaw SHS – Domeabra road, Adoagyiri & white house, ADB – Assembly road, Asuogya junction –Betrams, Krofofrom stretch, Starting point (Residency Road).
The roads when completed will ease traffic congestions in the Nkawkaw Township. The road network will also improve accessibility to places which hitherto were inaccessible during the raining seasons. Furthermore, it is the expectation of the people of Kwahu West who have been deprived of good road networks in such a long time that the completed roads will boost economic activities.
At the end of the visit both the Regional minister and the Hon.MCE expressed their satisfaction at the work done so far and urged the contractor to speed up work to meet the stipulated time.

The Business Advisory Centre (BAC) of Kwahu West Municipal Assembly has supported 8 artisans in the Kwahu West Municipality with assorted tool boxes as start-up kits worth over GHC 12,000 to set them up for business. The artisans made up of 3 carpenters, 3 Auto mechanics and 2 Auto electricians were also advised to work assiduously to generate funds to cater for themselves and their families.
In a brief speech, Mr. Stephen Amoako, acting Head of BAC in Kwahu West disclosed that the support came from the central government through the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) under the Rural Enterprise Programme (REP). He explained that the BAC is the extension office of the NBSSI which ensures easy access to all relevant information and guidance that would make the entrepreneur an all-rounded, competent and confident person. He added that the BAC gives training, counselling and support to individuals and business associations. The centre also facilitates access to enabling business environments and credit for entrepreneurs.
According to him, the BAC in Kwahu West is enjoying tremendous support from the Hon. MCE and MCD of the KWMA and he ceased the opportunity to thank them for their unflinching assistance.
Closing his remarks, Mr. Amoako advised the beneficiaries to put the tools to good use bearing in mind that his outfit will visit their workshops periodically to monitor the progress of their work and help them solve some of the challenges they may face in future.
Presenting the tools boxes to the beneficiaries, Hon. Yaw Owusu Addo, MCE of KWMA said the gesture was in line with the NPP Government’s promise to create sustainable jobs.
According to him, the NPP government came to meet near empty coffers due to the high corruption perpetrated by the previous government and called for patience as the government, led by an honest, President is poised to create sustainable jobs and improve the standard of living for Ghanaians.
He added that in an era where artisans find it difficult to raise capital after they complete their apprenticeship programme he deems the support as timely and urged the beneficiaries to use the tools for the purposes which they were intended for.
He also advised the beneficiaries to be innovative, make use of modern day technology and do quality work for rapid growth and sustainability.
The Hon. MCE reiterated that the Assembly will monitor their operations through the BAC and advised them to be good stewards of the tools they have received.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Mohamadu Rabiu thanked the BAC, KWMA and the NPP government for their support and stated that they (the beneficiaries) will use the tools that in future the assembly will be inspired to support others.