Provision of working tools to make PWDs self-reliant - DCE

The District Chief Executive of the Agona East Assembly in the Central Region, Mr Dennis Armah-Frimpong, has indicated that the government’s decision to economically empower Persons with Disability (PWDs) through the provision of working tools is in the interest of the PWDs.

According to him, the move forms part of a concerted plan and strategy by the New Patriotic Party (NPP)-led administration to provide a lasting and permanent solution to the challenges of PWDs so that they can engage in income-generating activities to better their lives.

He stated that the government had moved away from the previous system where PWDs were given funds to set up their own businesses, saying: “The assembly realised that funds given to them were either misapplied or misappropriated, which further deepened the predicament of PWDs.”

Presentation

At a ceremony to present working tools to some PWDs at the forecourt of the district assembly, Mr Armah-Frimpong said henceforth, the assembly, through the social welfare and community department, would engage the PWDs to come up with viable business proposals so that through their share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the assembly would buy their start-up equipment for them.

A total of 12 beneficiaries were provided with start-up equipment ranging from deep freezers, tomato grinding machines, shoemaking machines, fufu grinding machines, computers and sewing machines.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the visually impaired, hearing and speech impaired as well as the physically challenged.

He added that previous funds given to them for such purposes were channelled into their personal upkeep which continuously worsened their plight, saying the government’s decision was for the members of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled to identify businesses they could venture into so that the assembly would support them.

Being self-reliant

“The government’s move is intended to put an end to the struggles of PWDs who often had to rely on the benevolence of family members and philanthropists for survival,” Mr Armah-Frimpong noted.

He explained that it was totally unacceptable for people with disabilities to be harassing people along the streets and other public places for alms, a situation that made other people sometimes look down on them.

He charged the beneficiaries to take very good care of the items and put them to good use to better their lives so as to motivate the next set of beneficiaries to do same, saying “with the provision of the working tools to you, you do not have any excuse to be poor”.

He added that what the government expected was for them to use the equipment to set up sustainable jobs and businesses to improve their lives so as to remain relevant in the society.

Responsible lives

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Kwame Owusu, the Chairman of the association in the district, commended the government for the assistance as it would enable the beneficiaries to live responsible lives in the society.