The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Mr. Kwabena Bempong has assured the Physically Challenged of government’s determination to pursue their cause under the community-based rehabilitation of programme so that they could lead normal life as the physically well to do.
This he said goes a long way to alleviate the plight of such vulnerable people endure and reduces the burden on their immediate families in providing basic necessities for them.
Mr. Bempong made these sentiments when the Birim Central Municipal Assembly presented cash, pop corn machine with attached gas cylinders, refrigerators, electric sewing machines, baking machines, agro-chemicals and other economic venture tools to make Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) self-sufficient and improve their living standards.
He explained to the beneficiaries that government has set aside three percent share of all quarterly releases of the District Assembly’s Common Fund (DACF) for their upkeep.
He further added that the fund which was recently increased by government from two percent to three percent was previously disbursed to them for their use. This he noted government, however, took a bold decision that instead of handing out cash to the beneficiaries which they usually dissipated in no time, it was better to ensure that the allocation was used to secure sources of living with their consent.
The MCE said government’s strategy was to use the disability fund to provide working tools and equipment to enable PWDs to either start or expand their business to make self-dependent.
He encouraged them not to underrate their potentials and capabilities and urged them to make effective use of the resources provided to grow their businesses.
Mr. Bempong indicated that, the government under President Akufo-Addo would continue to place emphasis on the adage that “disability is not inability” and added that, the government had put in place more sustainable and efficient programmes to assist the PWDs to contribute effectively to the development of their communities and nation at large.
Source: Emmanuel Yaw Acheampong
