The Akyemansa District Assembly in the Eastern Region has provided more than 200 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with start-up kits to support them to establish and expand livelihood activities.
An additional 20 beneficiaries received entrepreneurship training and seed capital to enable them to establish and grow sustainable businesses.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Linda Ahenkorah, said the intervention, funded through the Persons with Disabilities Common Fund, was aimed at creating economic opportunities, reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable persons in the district.
The beneficiaries received spraying machines, shoemaking machines, baking ovens, deep freezers, wheelchairs, laptops, sewing machines and other livelihood equipment.
The Assembly also provided GH¢77,000 in additional assistance, comprising GH¢18,000 for healthcare, GH¢5,000 for education and GH¢54,000 to support businesses and livelihoods.
‘Disability Is Not Inability’
Madam Ahenkorah said the intervention was the second batch of support provided to PWDs since she assumed office, adding that preparations were underway for a third batch.
“Disability is not inability. Being disabled does not mean the end of one’s life,” she said.
She urged beneficiaries to make good use of the support to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
According to the DCE, the intervention is also expected to discourage street begging, increase household incomes and improve the economic well-being of beneficiaries.
Don’t Sell Items
Akyemansa District Director of Social Development, Eric Ntim, cautioned beneficiaries against selling the items, stressing that doing so would defeat the purpose of the intervention.
He also appealed to families not to take over the equipment or engage beneficiaries in disputes over their use, saying PWDs should have a say in determining how the items are used to support their livelihoods.
Mr Ntim assured beneficiaries that his outfit would continue working with relevant stakeholders to explore additional opportunities to improve their economic well-being.
Entrepreneurship Training
Akyemansa District Coordinating Director, Samuel Kwasi Kittah, said the Assembly had complemented the distribution with entrepreneurship training, including bead-making, and seed capital for selected beneficiaries.
He said the intervention was expected to strengthen the economic independence of PWDs, improve their incomes and promote inclusive development across the district.
