Adenta assembly disburses funds for disabled persons
The Adenta Municipal Assembly (AdMA) has paid money from a fund meant for people with disabilities (PWDs) to a number of such persons in the municipality.
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The fund which constitutes two per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), is meant to assist PWDs fend for themselves and their families. Additionally, it is to enable persons who are physically challenged to engage in business.
According to the Adenta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Benjamin Baroson Angenu, the beneficiaries were selected from a list of applicants who had their written requests endorsed by the assembly member of the community in which they lived.
“The beneficiaries were made to apply, following which their applications were endorsed by the assembly members in their electoral areas.
We do this to ensure that the disbursement process is transparent,” he said.
He said two per cent of the DACF was reserved for PWDs and that was what had been given to them.
According to Mr Angenu,a disabled person is entitled to a disbursement only once in a year to give way to others who were yet to benefit from the facility. “There are other people who also need support so when you receive the amount you have to manage it well”.
He said furthermore that a component of the fund had been put aside for emergency situations to be assessed by persons in exceptionally difficult circumstances.
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In all, 50 PWDs out of 89 of the first batch received monies which amounted to GH¢33,220.
Use of fund
A beneficiary, Mr K. Fletcher, who is a writer, said disabled persons were not a burden but assets to the state. He said if only conditions were made satisfactory for them they could make significant contributions to national development.
“If the government would create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities, we would be able to contribute to the nation’s growth and development.
“We would not be a burden to the state as some people think,” he said.
He said he would invest the money he received in his writings and marketing of his books.
Appeal to government
The President of the Federation of the Disabled, Mr E. T. Plahar, urged the government to increase the proportion of the DACF for disabled persons from two per cent to two point five per cent.
He said disabled persons had lots of needs and therefore an upward adjustment in their share of the money would be of great help.
He urged the beneficiaries to invest their monies in fruitful ventures that would yield profitable returns and make them become independent.