Ashaiman: Mr. Freeman Tsekpo, the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has cautioned beneficiaries of the District Assembly Disability Common Fund against selling equipment and other items provided to support their livelihoods. Mr. Tsekpo emphasized that these items are intended to help beneficiaries establish or strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods. He mentioned that the assembly would conduct routine monitoring to ensure the proper use of the equipment.
According to Ghana News Agency, the caution was issued during a disbursement event where the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) allocated approximately GHS400,000 from the Disability Common Fund. This financial support was directed to registered persons with disabilities within the municipality. Mr. Tsekpo noted that 59 beneficiaries were shortlisted after a thorough screening process by the Municipal Disability Committee, which included application reviews and inspections of beneficiaries' homes and businesses to validate their requests.
The disbursement included capital for 43 beneficiaries to start businesses, operational items like deep freezers, industrial sewing machines, and laptops for 15 beneficiaries, and direct medical support for one individual. Mr. Tsekpo highlighted that all distributed equipment had unique assembly tracking numbers to facilitate monitoring. He warned that selling government-issued equipment is a criminal offense and urged beneficiaries to use the items for their intended purposes.
Mr. Tsekpo also advised prospective applicants to submit their requests through their respective Electoral Area Assembly Members, as their endorsement is necessary for applications to proceed to the Social Welfare evaluation stage. Regarding tax obligations, municipal authorities clarified that standard national tax policies apply to equipment purchases. Beneficiaries seeking formal tax exemptions should direct their requests to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The event was attended by Mr. Ernest Norgbey, Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, and Mr. Joshua Addy, National Coordinator of the National Council on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD).