The Akyemansa District Assembly in the Eastern Region has provided livelihood support to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as part of efforts to promote economic independence and improve their living conditions.
More than 200 PWDs received various start-up kits, while 20 others were given entrepreneurship training and seed capital to establish or expand their businesses.
The initiative, funded through the PWDs Common Fund, provided beneficiaries with items including sewing machines, baking ovens, deep freezers, laptops, wheelchairs and other equipment tailored to their livelihood needs.
Speaking during the presentation, the District Chief Executive, Linda Ahenkorah, urged beneficiaries to put the items and financial support to productive use and build sustainable sources of income.
She said the intervention was intended to create opportunities for vulnerable residents to become economically self-reliant, support their families and reduce dependence on street begging.
According to the DCE, the Assembly has so far invested GH¢77,000 in interventions covering healthcare, education and livelihood support for PWDs.
She disclosed that preparations were underway to extend similar assistance to another batch of beneficiaries.
The Akyemansa District PWDs Public Relations Officer, Stephen Yaw Brako, commended the government for increasing the PWDs Common Fund allocation to five per cent.
He also praised the District Chief Executive for ensuring that the fund directly benefited persons with disabilities in the district.
Mr Brako encouraged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the support to improve their livelihoods, fight poverty and achieve greater financial independence.
