Filed by: Issah Abdul-Latif
The Wa Municipal Assembly has disbursed a total of GH¢179,350 from the disability fund component of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) to support persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in the municipality.
The beneficiaries, totally 49, received various forms of support during a presentation ceremony held at the forecourt of the Assembly in Wa.
While some received cheques with varying amounts to finance their businesses and/or support educational needs, others were presented with income-generating items or equipment. The items included refrigerators with soft drinks, laptops, welding materials, weaving tools, sewing machines, and other business equipment.
Among the beneficiaries are Madam Seidu Hanarata, who received a refrigerator and soft drinks to establish or expand her business, and Mr. Inusah Abubakari, who was also presented with a laptop to support his education.
Mr. Boi Gilbert, the Municipal Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development and Secretary to the Disability Fund Management Committee, disclosed that the committee received more than 500 applications for support. Following a thorough vetting process, only 49 applicants met the criteria and were approved to benefit from this year’s allocation.
He explained that the total amount of GH¢179,350 was distributed across four key intervention areas.
33 beneficiaries engaged in income-generating activities received a total of GH¢115,350 to establish or expand their businesses, he stated. Five students benefited from educational support amounting to GH¢27,000, including the provision of two laptops. Seven beneficiaries received health support worth GH¢20,000, while three others benefited from GH¢7,000 for personal upkeep.
Mr. Boi further announced that W FM, a local radio station that has consistently supported PWDs by providing free airtime for advocacy and public education, received GH¢10,000 to facilitate the construction of a staircase to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities to the studio.
Addressing the gathering, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Issah Nura Danwana, expressed delight at the government’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of persons living with disabilities.
He noted that the Assembly’s objective was to improve the living conditions of PWDs and not to derive any benefit from them. He further stated that the government had increased the statutory allocation of the DACF for persons living with disabilities from 3 percent to 5 percent, demonstrating its commitment to promoting inclusion and reducing the financial challenges faced by the disability community.
The Municipal Chief Executive also explained that the current administration, under President John Dramani Mahama, had put measures in place to ensure that funds allocated for PWDs are used for the intended purposes. He added that funds previously retained at the national level are now being fully released to the assemblies, resulting in increased allocations to support PWDs across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Leader of Persons with Disabilities in the municipality, Mr. Robert Dugrah, expressed appreciation to the Wa Municipal Assembly and the Government of Ghana for the timely intervention. He said the support would improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries and empower them to become economically independent.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to the media also expressed gratitude for the support received.
Madam Seidu Hanarata, who received a refrigerator and soft drinks, said the assistance would significantly reduce her financial burden and enable her to grow her business to support herself and her family.
On his part, Mr. Inusah Abubakari, a recipient of a laptop, described the support as a dream come true. He said the laptop would greatly enhance his studies and bring him a step closer to achieving his ambition of becoming a manager in one of businessman, Ibrahim Mahama’s mining companies.
The presentation forms part of the Wa Municipal Assembly’s efforts to promote economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and social inclusion for PWDs through the effective utilisation of the District Assembly Common Fund.
