In a strong demonstration of commitment to social inclusion, the Wassa East District Assembly has distributed 89 economic empowerment items and cash to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The initiative, funded from five percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund, aims to equip beneficiaries with the tools needed to achieve financial independence and avoid becoming a burden on society.
The items were presented to beneficiaries at the Assembly’s forecourt. Out of 153 applications received, beneficiaries were strictly selected based on eligibility and need.
What Was Distributed?
The packages were tailored to support various trades and daily living. They included:
· 39 deep freezers, 14 cocoa spraying machines, and 7 sewing machines.
· Laptops, fridges, ovens, welding machines, carpentry sets, and cassava grating machines.
· Mobility aids, including wheelchairs and crutches.
A Call for Responsibility
District Chief Executive(DCE), Hon.
Alhassan Ibrahim, urged the beneficiaries to treat the items as business investments. “Please do not sell, or give them away. Take good care of them and put them to productive use,” he advised. He warned that the Assembly, alongside the Department of Social Welfare, will monitor the items to ensure they serve their intended purpose.
Echoing this sentiment, the Member of Parliament, Hon. Isaac Adjei Mensah, emphasized the human element of the initiative. “People living with disabilities are part of society, hence the need to care and support them economically so they don’t become a burden on society,” he stated. He strictly warned against selling the items, noting that doing so is a punishable offense.
A Boost for Health and Well-being
Beyond economic support, the Assembly is also prioritizing the health of PWDs. The DCE announced that Wassa East is among the districts selected to pilot the government’s free primary health care delivery.
To benefit, he urged all PWDs in the district to immediately register for a Ghana Card and enroll in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This will grant them access to free cancer treatment and other essential health services.
Credit: Frank Kwabena Danso(DIO)
