PWDs in Tema Metropolis receive support

The Tema Metropolitan Assembly in the Greater Accra Region has presented business start-up equipment valued at GH¢147,830.77 to 23 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the metropolis to venture into businesses of their choice.

The items included five deep freezers, two refrigerators, a baking oven and cake mixer, a towel warmer, beard shaving clipper, bales of calico cloth, a box of wax, three goats, cosmetics, bales of men’s clothing, bedsheets, a spray gun, local clamp, provisions, cosmetics and other items to generate income.

Three final year students, one from the University of Ghana and two from the University of Education, Winneba, also received financial support of GH¢14, 690.

The Tema Metropolitan Assembly Budget Officer, Anthony Adjei, in a speech read on behalf of the Coordinating Director of the Assembly, John Owu, at a presentation ceremony last Tuesday, advised the beneficiaries to take proper care of the items and businesses and use the profits accrued from them to improve their livelihoods.

Judicious use

“I wish to remind those who are benefitting from the programme today that the purpose of the Disability Fund Support Programme is to improve the socio-economic life of all beneficiaries. I, therefore, wish to encourage you to put the items to good use in order to derive the intended benefits,” he said.

The Head of Department of Social Welfare and Community Development for Tema Metro, Robert Mensah Gbley, explained that over 100 applications were received for support.

However, he said after the applications were vetted, 23 were approved by the Disability Fund Management Committee based on the funds available at the time of approval.

A member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Joshua Abbey, called for the timely release of the three per cent of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) allocated to them by the government and District Assembly for the purchase of items, stressing that the late release of funds could affect the businesses of beneficiaries. 

Gratitude

A beneficiary, Fati Abukari, on behalf of the PWDs, thanked the government, the assembly and the TMA for the gesture and promised to ensure that the equipment and tools would be used for the intended purpose.

Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh