The Akrofuom District Assembly has allocated a total of GH¢66,000 of support for four categories of individuals with disabilities in the district.
These categories include Educational Support (GH¢8,000), Medical Support (GH¢6,000), Trading Support (GH¢10,000), and Economic Empowerment (GH¢42,000).
This distribution translates into GH¢66,000 in total.
Thirty individuals were beneficiaries of this support, receiving a variety of items such as deep freezers, sewing machines, hair dryers, wheelchairs, weed sprayers, and others.
The distribution marks the eighth occasion where the assembly has provided support to people with disabilities in the district since its creation in 2018.
The Chief Executive of Akrofuom District Assembly, Dr Maurice Jonas Woode, who presented the items on behalf of the Assembly, revealed that the items were distributed based on the specific needs of the recipients, determined through individual assessments.
“When the Common Funds are allocated to us, there are restrictions on how it can be used, ensuring that the proposed amount for disabled individuals is used to purchase items tailored to their needs,” he added.
On the Assembly’s contributions towards improving the general well-being of PWDs, Dr Woode said they have recently renewed health insurance for 297 individuals with disabilities, assisted 10 in launching profitable businesses, and provided scholarships to eight students by covering their school fees and offering academic support.
Additionally, he said some have received training in making yoghurt, sugar, and other products to enhance employment prospects.
DCE Maurice Woode emphasised that the aim is to create job opportunities, alleviate poverty among people with disabilities, and improve their social status.
He encouraged recipients to utilize the items they received to generate income and urged all persons with disabilities to register with the assembly to access future distributions.
Sarah Tieku, the Secretary of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), expressed gratitude to the Assembly on behalf of the beneficiaries for their support.
She thanked the Assembly for their transparent distribution of items and urged the beneficiaries to utilize the items responsibly rather than selling them.
A beneficiary named Sheriffa Mohammed, who was presented with a fridge, expressed gratitude to the Assembly for the support.
She emphasised that the fridge would significantly impact her economic life positively.
She revealed that life was sometimes challenging, but due to the items given to them, there has been a gradual improvement in their standard of living.
By Kwame Amoh