PWDs receive items to improve wellbeing

The Asutifi North District Assembly (ANDA) in the Ahafo Region has presented business start-up equipment valued at GH¢99,961 to 35 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the District to venture into businesses of their choice to improve their wellbeing.

The items, presented at a brief ceremony at the Assembly’s forecourt in Kenyasi, the capital, include 30 deep freezers, 30 fridge guards, 30 ice chests, three mist blowers, 15 boxes of weedicides, five boxes of cutlasses, one set of hair dressing tools, one tricycle (Asponic), and a set of carpentry tools.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Anthony Mensah, advised the beneficiaries to take proper care of the items and businesses, and use the profits to be accrued to expand and improve their livelihoods.

He cautioned them against selling or misapplying the received items, as that would defeat the objective of the gesture. He explained that the Assembly would keenly monitor the beneficiaries to ascertain whether the items were being put to good use as expected.

Anthony Mensah emphasised that the law would deal with persons who sell the items, so all must take note.

The District Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, Peter Duayaw, who headed the team that selected the beneficiaries, categorically said the selection was never influenced. According to him, the committee instituted takes so many things into account before one is given the nod.

He said the immediate action to be taken by the Social Welfare Department henceforth is to monitor the beneficiaries to ensure that the items are used in accordance with their acquired purposes. He mentioned that in cases where the items are not properly used, advice and directives by experts would be given to them.

He, therefore, advised them to use the said items for the intended purposes towards the improvement of their livelihoods, and never think disability is inability.

The President of the Ghana Federation of Disabilities (GFD), Asutifi North Branch, Elder Kofi Sekyere, thanked the central government, District Chief Executive, and the Assembly for the gesture, which is intended to raise their living standards.

He mentioned that the managers of the assembly had been a blessing to PWDs, because due processes were followed in selecting beneficiaries to avoid any form of misunderstanding. Aside this, he added, all the items procured for them are what the beneficiaries demanded, so there was no cause for complaints.

Elder Kofi Sekyere, therefore, appealed the beneficiaries to adhere to the directives issued by the DCE and the Social Welfare District Director for their own good.

He appreciated the District Assembly for putting measures in place to equip PWDs to prevent them begging on the streets.

Some of the beneficiaries interviewed applauded the government, DCE and Social Welfare Department for frequently engaging them to know their challenges for solutions to improve their living conditions.

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