CCMA disburses GHC7,100.00 to 48 Persons with Disabilities

The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) last year disbursed more than GH¢ 7,100.00 to 48 Persons with Disability (PWD) in the Metropolis under the two per cent common Fund meant for PWD’s.

The amount, which ranges between GHC200.00, to GHC500.00 for the beneficiaries, would serve as seed money to enable them to start they own businesses to improve their living conditions.

Mrs. Felicia Ankrah, the Metro Director of the Social Welfare who disclosed this to the GNA in an interview on Friday said, the money was disbursed based on the kind of project the beneficiaries were executing.

It is a government policy that two per cent of the district assembly common fund be reserved for persons with disabilities to support them in their activities.

Mrs Ankrah explained that parents who have children suffering from Cerebral Palsy are also given assistance to start their private businesses, adding that, currently the fund was supporting about 15 parents, who have children with such condition.

She said 11 people from the Ghana Society for the Disabled Children were also beneficiaries of the fund with another 11 from the Ghana National Association for the Deaf, who have taken up projects such as rabbit farming, vegetable cultivation, bakery and the construction of offices for the groups.

The Metropolitan Director of the Service, however, expressed concern about some parents, who hide their disabled children because of stigmatization and appealed to them to send their wards to the Department of Social Welfare for assessment and registration to enable them to benefit from the fund.

She also advised all parents and people with disabilities to desist from begging on the streets since the government has taken the initiative to support them.