Amansie West Assembly Bolsters Economic Opportunities for 75 PWDs with Essential Support

Amansie west: The Amansie West District Assembly in the Ashanti Region has taken a significant step towards enhancing the economic prospects of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) by providing crucial support to 75 individuals. This assistance, which includes both cash and livelihood equipment, aims to empower these beneficiaries to either establish or expand their income-generating activities, ultimately improving their living conditions. According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative is part of the Persons With Disabilities component of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), reflecting the Assembly's dedication to promoting social inclusion, economic empowerment, and self-reliance among the district's PWDs. The livelihood equipment and cash assistance, valued at thousands of Ghana Cedis, are designed to create sustainable economic opportunities for the beneficiaries, enabling them to contribute significantly to the development of their families and communities. District Chief Executive (DCE) Mr. Prince Manu Morris, when presenting the items, emphasized the Government's commitment to enhancing the welfare of persons with disabilities and ensuring their inclusion in the development process. He highlighted the Government's decision to increase the allocation from the DACF for PWD support programs from three per cent to five per cent, illustrating a dedication to improving economic opportunities and well-being for these individuals. Mr. Morris urged the beneficiaries to use the support prudently, viewing the items as investments in sustainable livelihoods. The support package included deep freezers, fufu-pounding machines, and popcorn-making machines, among other essential equipment. Mr. Morris advised the beneficiaries to manage the equipment responsibly, expand their businesses, and reinvest profits to ensure their ventures' sustainability. Social Welfare Officer Mr. Francis Mensah echoed this sentiment, urging beneficiaries to utilize the support effectively and ensure the items and cash were used for their intended purposes. He advised proper care of the equipment and prudent business management to expand activities. Mr. Mensah highlighted that the success of the intervention relied on the beneficiaries' commitment to using the support productively. He assured that the Assembly would continue monitoring the beneficiaries to ensure effective utilization of the assistance and achievement of the program's objectives. Chairman of the Federation of Persons With Disabilities in the Amansie West District, Mr. Isaac Agyeman, expressed gratitude to the Government and the Assembly for their ongoing support. He encouraged the beneficiaries to put the items to productive use, improve their livelihoods, and strive for self-reliance while advocating for disability-friendly public facilities to enhance accessibility and participation in social and economic activities. Mr. Agyeman called on the Assembly and stakeholders to incorporate the needs of persons with disabilities in public infrastructure planning and construction.