The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has disbursed a total of GH¢324,277.65 to support 109 persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their organisations to improve their livelihoods and promote their economic independence.

The support, provided under the five per cent District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) allocation for PWDs, covers income-generating activities, education and training, medical and assistive devices, as well as advocacy and organisational development.

Out of the total amount, GH¢272,438 has been allocated to 100 beneficiaries, comprising 28 males and 72 females, to support their income-generating activities and economic empowerment.

Six beneficiaries, made up of three males and three females, received GH¢12,255.65 for education and training, while three others, comprising two males and one female, received GH¢13,174 for medical and assistive devices.

An additional GH¢26,410 was allocated to support advocacy and organisational development activities of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.

At a brief ceremony in Bolgatanga on Thursday to hand over the support to the beneficiaries, Mr Roland Atanga Ayoo, Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said the intervention was aimed at improving the well-being, dignity and economic participation of PWDs, adding that the Assembly remained committed to ensuring their inclusion in mainstream development.

“Together, we are building a municipality in which persons with disabilities are recognised, supported and enabled to participate meaningfully in family, community and economic life, hence giving credence to the assertion that disability is not inability,” he said.

He said some beneficiaries under the economic empowerment category would receive equipment, including chest freezers and a washing machine, while a tricycle was being fabricated as an assistive device to support the mobility of a beneficiary.

The MCE said the disbursement was the second major exercise undertaken by the Assembly within the year, adding that the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development had compiled a new register of PWDs to improve data collection and ensure that support was extended more systematically.

He said the current government under President John Dramani Mahama held the welfare of persons with disabilities in high esteem and that informed the decision to increase the allocation from three per cent to five per cent.

He encouraged beneficiaries to use the resources judiciously, invest in sustainable businesses and save part of their profits through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) to expand their businesses.

“For those receiving capital for income-generating activities, please use it carefully and for the intended purpose. Please do not allow the support received today to be exhausted without creating a sustainable benefit for you and your household,” he advised.

John Azam, Bolgatanga Municipal Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, said the selection of beneficiaries was demand-driven, with efforts made to ensure fairness and extend support to persons with disabilities at different stages.

He said the Department would monitor the utilisation of the support to ensure that it achieved its intended purpose of improving livelihoods, creating jobs and enabling beneficiaries to live dignified lives.

Richmond Atugra, Chairman of the Bolgatanga Municipal Disability Fund Management Committee, advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the support to improve their living conditions.

Naomi Panwum, the Municipal Director of the Business Advisory Centre, encouraged beneficiaries to invest the funds in income-generating activities and apply the financial management skills acquired through training to improve their businesses.

Mr Collins Alokabila, the President of the Bolgatanga Chapter of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, expressed appreciation to the government and the Assembly for the continued release of the disability fund.

He, however, appealed to the government to ensure quarterly disbursement of the funds and make public offices disability-friendly to improve access to services.

Esther Adabore, a beneficiary who received GH¢3,600 to support her smock-weaving business, expressed gratitude to the government and pledged to use the money to expand her business and employ additional people.

“I am grateful for the support and will use it to expand my business and create employment opportunities for others,” she said.