The management of the Ningo Prampram District Assembly has donated assorted items worth, over Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (Ȼ100,000) to Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s) in the District. These items have been procured for these persons following the directive from the government to depart from disbursing cash grants to procuring items that can empower these persons economically and alleviate poverty in the long run.
To this purpose, the government has necessarily increased the disability fund from 2% to 3% of the District Assembly Common Fund. Each beneficiary was presented with items that they have personally requested for. Some of the items included bags of cement, charcoal, barbering machine with accessories, assorted lace fabrics, litres of oil, and bags of rice, beans and toiletries. The rest of the items included stationary, sacks of Gari, sugar and confectioneries for provision shops. Others also received plastic chairs and tables, vegetables, frozen fishes and chicken to aid them set up businesses that would fetch them income, periodically.
Preceding this donation, the Assembly had earlier donated similar items to PWD’s in the district as preliminary preparations towards economic empowerment. They received chest freezers, containers for shops, popcorn machines amongst others. These batch of items goes to reinforce the economic agenda that has begun in the lives of these group of persons. In line with education, the assembly procured a pack of Perkins Braille for one of the beneficiaries who is currently enrolled in the Akropong School for the blind. Two other students received two brand new laptops to assist them with their lessons.
In totality, eighty-six (86) persons with disabilities benefited from these items. The Common Fund Administrator has urged the Department of Social Welfare to register more persons with disability so that they can also benefit from this initiative to improve their living conditions.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ningo-Prampram District, Hon, Jonathan T. Doku, who presented the items, stated that the rationale behind this initiative is to eradicate all forms of poverty amongst the vulnerable groups and give them a sense of belonging. The DCE is of the expectation that they would prudently put these items to use, whilst the Almighty God bless all their efforts.
He acknowledged the government’s efforts in ensuring equity and fairness as well as improving the quality of life for all citizens irrespective of your social status.
He disclosed that the main challenge affecting the progress of the District is the poor road networks. He assured, that the Central Government has declared the year 2020 as the year for massive road works for which the District would receive its fair share.
In an interview with the beneficiaries, most of them disclosed that they are content with the items received. More importantly, they are desirous to commence their own businesses and earn “decent” incomes because it is dignifying than begging for alms on the street. Some trades they would be engaging in are; provision shops, barbering shops, hair salons, pepper mill operation, food joints, and cold store.
The brief donation ceremony was held at the forecourt of the premises of the District Assembly Annex, on 10th January 2020.
Doreen Aculey
ISD Ningo-Prampram
Robert Letsa Kpo
Prampram