Atwima Mponua District Assembly Empowers Persons with Disabilities

Atwima Mponua District Assembly Empowers Persons with Disabilities

In a continued effort to promote inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity, the Atwima Mponua District Assembly, through its Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, has distributed essential working items and support packages to selected Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the district.

The initiative, funded by the District Assembly’s Common Fund, aims to foster economic independence and self-reliance among vulnerable populations.

A total of 46 individuals were selected by the Disability Fund Management Committee after a rigorous assessment process. The group consists of 19 males and 27 females, including students.

The support provided covers various sectors, including economic empowerment, education, and artisanal trades. Specific items distributed included sewing machines, chest freezers with sachet water, startup kits, popcorn machines, wheelchairs, spraying machines, fufu-making machines, and general seed capital for business ventures.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Ibrahim Issahak, revealed that the Assembly has invested over GH¢227,000 in this phase of the initiative.

“This investment is more than financial support; it is an investment in the dignity, independence, and economic future of persons with disabilities,” Hon. Issahak stated during the ceremony.

He emphasized that selection was based on the economic vulnerability of the individuals, ensuring the support reaches those who need it most to participate actively in the district’s economic growth and decision-making processes.

The Assembly highlighted its consistent commitment to social protection, noting that this year’s efforts build upon the achievements of the previous year. In the previous year, the Assembly supported 79 individuals, consisting of 49 males and 30 females, through similar interventions in economic empowerment, education, health, and the provision of assistive devices.

Mr. Carlton Daniel Mawulorm, Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, underscored that the ultimate goal of the intervention is to eliminate the necessity for street begging. He encouraged all recipients to utilize the items as catalysts for sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic stability.

Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the government and the DCE, assuring the Assembly that the equipment and capital provided would be managed effectively to generate income for their families and contribute to the local economy.

Hon. Issahak concluded by commending the Disability Fund Management Committee, the Ghana Federation of Persons with Disabilities, the Ghana Police Service, and traditional authorities for their collaborative support in successfully executing the distribution.

Story by Anita Frimpong