Story By: Samali Abdul Razak
The Nkwanta North District Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by providing financial support and livelihood items to more than 165 beneficiaries across the district.
The support package, which was distributed in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, formed part of the Assembly’s efforts to promote social inclusion and help PWDs become economically independent. The ceremony was led by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Dordoe Kudjoe Isaiah.
The beneficiaries received different forms of assistance based on their individual needs. A total of 24 people received direct financial support, while 13 were given essential household items. Five beneficiaries also received medical assistance to help address their health needs.
The Assembly further supported 30 beneficiaries with start-up assistance for trading, paid school fees for 17 students, and sponsored apprenticeship training for nine others to help them acquire employable skills.
Among the items distributed were 20 refrigerators, five sewing machines, one fufu pounding machine and five tricycles, in addition to other livelihood equipment aimed at helping beneficiaries start or expand small businesses.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Dordoe Kudjoe Isaiah urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the support to improve their lives and become self-reliant. He advised them not to abandon the items or depend on street begging but instead use the opportunity to build sustainable sources of income.
The DCE also tasked the Department of Social Welfare to closely monitor the beneficiaries to ensure the items are used for their intended purposes and to promote transparency and accountability in the programme.
President of the Nkwanta North Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Nakoja Bismarck, expressed appreciation to the government and the District Assembly for the timely intervention. He encouraged beneficiaries to use the support responsibly to improve their livelihoods, stressing that “disability is not inability.”
He also appealed to leaders of disability groups to educate their members on government programmes designed to improve their welfare and create more opportunities for them.
Some beneficiaries described the intervention as life-changing, saying the support would enable them to earn a living, support their families and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
They commended the District Assembly for engaging them to identify their specific needs before providing the assistance, describing the approach as thoughtful and sustainable.
They further praised Hon. Dordoe Kudjoe Isaiah and the Assembly for demonstrating a strong commitment to the welfare of persons with disabilities and expressed hope that such initiatives would continue to ensure that no one is left behind in the district’s development.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
