Ga North Assembly presents working tools to PWDs

The Ga North Municipal Assembly (GNMA) has presented working tools to 54 persons living with disabilities (PWDs).

Procured from the assembly’s share of the Disability Fund, the items, which cost GH¢122,201, included gas ovens, fufu-making machines, deep freezers, vulcanizer machines, popcorn machines and sewing machines.

Bridge gap

At the presentation ceremony, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Ms Getrude Ankrah, explained that due to the challenges PWDs faced in accessing funds to start businesses of their own, the government came up with the Disability Fund and other interventions to address their needs.

She noted that the challenges faced by PWDs were enormous and varied, as they were constrained by the lack of capital and business experience and discrimination.

“To compound these, there is also the overall negative attitude towards business start-ups owned by men, women and the youth particularly by financial institutions, which make it difficult for them to access credit for their businesses,” she noted.

The MCE added that there also existed challenges in the market that discriminated against PWDs and limited their chances of becoming successful entrepreneurs.

“This market failure needs to be addressed, so that the economic potential of these people can be fully exploited and utilised,” she said.

Access to funds

Ms Ankrah said she had, therefore, directed the Head of the Social Welfare Department of the assembly and the Disability Fund Oversight Committee to enhance awareness of the fund among all potential beneficiaries and up-scale training and support on their application processes.

She commended the beneficiaries for their patience, understanding and diligence in applying for the fund, adding: “This surely manifests the resilience that is required by entrepreneurs as they seek to start and expand their businesses.”

The beneficiaries thanked the assembly and promised to use the items for their intended purpose to improve their livelihoods.