The Mion District Assembly has released GH¢476,360 in cash and livelihood support items to 143 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to help them establish or expand businesses and become economically self-reliant.
The support formed part of the Assembly’s first phase of the five per cent allocation for PWDs under the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and was distributed at the forecourt of the Assembly premises.
The beneficiaries received various livelihood items, including sheep, goats and freezers. Forty-two beneficiaries received sheep, 16 received goats, while 26 were presented with freezers.
Speaking at the presentation here yesterday, the Mion District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Hamza Azindow Moabalyn, said the initiative was aimed at empowering PWDs to generate sustainable incomes and reduce their dependence on others.
He said the Assembly had instituted a transparent system to identify eligible beneficiaries and ensure that the support reached the intended recipients.
Mr Moabalyn said the Assembly would continue to prioritise the inclusion of PWDs in development programmes and initiatives in the district.
He disclosed that a monitoring team had been constituted to periodically visit the homes and businesses of beneficiaries to assess how the items and funds were being utilised.
The DCE urged the beneficiaries to put the support to productive use to improve their livelihoods and those of their families.
He also appealed to beneficiaries who were yet to receive their support to remain patient, assuring them that the remaining items and funds would be distributed within the next two months.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Mion, Alhaji Misbaw Adam Mahama, said the increase in the allocation for PWDs from three to five per cent would enable Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to extend support to more beneficiaries.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the items and grants strictly for their intended purposes, noting that monitoring teams would follow up to ensure that the support translated into tangible economic benefits.
“The government is also closely monitoring the disbursement process to ensure that only eligible persons within the respective assemblies benefit,” he said.
Alhaji Mahama further advised prospective beneficiaries to apply only for items they were ready to use immediately for income-generating activities.
He assured PWDs in the district of the government’s continued commitment to releasing the disability funds on time to help reduce their economic burdens.
A beneficiary, Mma Asana Wahab, expressed gratitude to the Assembly and the government for the support, particularly the increase in the allocation for PWDs from three to five per cent.
BY YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, MION
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