Boost For PWD’s In KroMA

Over sixty Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the Krowor Municipality Assembly (KroMA) in Accra have received various sums of money as startup capitals from the Disability Fund.

The disbursement which included items like deep freezers, fufu pounding machines, gas oven among others is expected to give the PWDs a sense of responsibility in managing their own businesses.

The 69 beneficiaries are the first batch of applicants seeking assistance for various life supporting ventures in their communities.

Speaking at the event in Accra, the Municipal Chief Executive of Krowor Municipal Assembly, Joshua Nii Bortey said the government holds the conviction that one of the cardinal means of minimizing poverty among PWDs in the informal sector is to empower them with the necessary skills development and equipment.

He said the gesture is a conscious effort by the Nana Akufo Addo-led government to build the capacities of PWDs to enable them advocate and assert their rights and offer quality services to the rest of society.

Mr. Bortey is sure PWDs cannot continue to beg for alms in the stress and expect the municipality to develop rapidly.

“…Though our streets are largely spared by the nuisance of alms begging by some PWDs, we cannot guarantee that this development will remain so as the Municipality grows rapidly” he noted.

The KroMA MCE continued: “I will therefore entreat all stakeholders particularly the Disability Fund Management Committee (DFMC) to work diligently, transparently and ensure judicious use of the funds so that the canker of alms begging is completely nibbed in the bud.”

He dispelled the notion that in order to access the funds, PWD’s have to belong to associations and groups stressing that “I am particularly glad that individual PWDs are permitted to access the fund without having to belong to any organizations.”

Mr. Bortey explained that the focus of the Disability Fund is not just for PWDs who belong to associations but to all who fall within the category of persons for which the Funds have been allocated.

The KroMA MCE stated that the consistent allocation of the funds for PWDs and other interventions was an indication of the government’s resolve to enhance the social image of PWDs.

The Member of Parliament for Krowor Constituency and Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye in a message read on her behalf said the government has not forgotten about PWDs in the society noting that they should not despair when their request keeps long before being granted.

She urged the PWDs to report all their concerns at the office created for them at the Assembly.

The Municipal Director, Emmanuel Nortey said the government recognizes the needs of PWD’s in the society, the reason for the disbursement of the funds to them.

He urged them to put the monies and items revived through the fund to good use.

Story By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson