The Techiman Municipal Assembly (TeMA) on Monday presented assorted items and money to 59 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the area, as part of the three per cent District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).
Giving the breakdown, the Municipal Director, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Mr Solomon Kwaku Amaning, said the beneficiaries included 28 males and 31 females from about 22 electoral areas.
Mr Amaning disclosed that the items, according to the individual’s request, were deep freezers, fufu pounding machines, refrigerators, water pumping machine, cement and cash to engage on various trading activities.
“The items donated to you today are to enhance your living conditions, to support you from depending on alms from families and friends. Use them prudently for the general wellbeing of yourselves and families,” he said.
The Director indicated that the Department was mandated by law to develop, administer and implement comprehensive social welfare programmes, designed to uplift the living standards, and empower disadvantaged groups.
Mr Amaning thanked the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Benjamin Yaw Gyarko, and his Co – ordinating Director, Alhaji Hamza Inusah, Member of Parliament (MP), Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, Techiman Traditional Council, among other stakeholders, for their support.
The MCE said a total of GH¢ 76,000 from the three per cent DACF was disbursed through the Disability Fund Management Committee (DFMC), under the Department of Social Welfare, for the economic development of PWDs.
Mr Gyarko cautioned the beneficiaries who had planned to sell the items and misuse the monies meant for trading activities to stop, saying that the assembly wants the best for you.
He re-echoed the commitment of the government to improve on the living standards of the citizenry, with social intervention programmes, including the Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) and school feeding.
Mr Gyarko urged the Department of Social Welfare and the DFMC to intensify the education, monitoring and evaluation of the various activities of PWDS in the municipality, to ensure judicious use of the fund.
The Nifahene of Techiman Traditional Area, Nana Boakye Ameyaw Pentemprem, who chaired the event, solicited support from individuals, NGOs and other institutions to complement government’s effort, adding that “helping PWDs is a shared responsibility”.
Georgina Afrah, on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked President Akufo-Addo, Executives of Ghana Federation of Disabled (GFD), DSWD and TeMA, for empowering them to take their destinies into their own hands.
EMMANUEL ADU GYAMFI, TECHIMAN
