Fifty-eight Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the West Akim Municipality in the Eastern Region have been presented with various items by the assembly to help them become self-sufficient.

The items were procured through the disability common fund by the municipal assembly and underscored the assembly’s commitment to supporting and empowering PWDs to obtain the needed resources to thrive.

Each of the beneficiaries received items amounting to GH¢4,000, which included deep freezers, fufu pounding machines, pepper grinding machines, agrochemicals, refrigerators, second-hand clothes, charcoal, popcorn machines, provisions, knitting machines and set up for MoMo operations.

The West Akim Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Paulina Akabila, who presented the items to the beneficiaries, showed recognition to one of the earlier beneficiaries, Prince Lartey, who had excelled in utilising the fufu machine he received earlier, expanded it and acquired an additional fufu machine, which was boosting his business. 

Determination

“Mr Lartey, your ability to expand your business and acquire an additional fufu machine is commendable.

Your success story is a testament to what can be achieved with determination and the right support.

Today, we reward your hard work with an additional pepper machine to further empower you to grow your business and also set precedents that good work will be rewarded,” the MCE said.

The MCE, however, said it was disappointing that some of the earlier beneficiaries still had their deep freezers they received in the boxes, unused.

She said there were others who were unable to account for their items, while some beneficiaries had sold their items and squandered the proceeds.

“Let me be clear, that these resources are provided to support you; they are not for personal gain.

They are meant to improve your livelihood and empower you to become self-sufficient.

To those who have not utilised these resources effectively, I urge you to re-evaluate your approach,” Ms Akabila stated. 

Handouts

She told the beneficiaries that the items were not handouts, but tools to enhance their economic prospects and implored them to make the most use of them.

She explained further that all the items given to them were embossed and therefore, any attempt to sell or dispose of them would be met with legal action. 

She also entreated those operating MoMo with their funds that they would be monitored more frequently to ensure they did not misappropriate the funds.

The Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, Isaac Sreku Obuobi, said that monitoring of the previous beneficiaries by his department showed that they were not putting the items to their intended use.

He cautioned that henceforth, any items sold would be traced and confiscated and the money involved would not be refunded.

One of the beneficiaries, Sophia Akuamoah, thanked the assembly for thinking about their welfare.

She urged members of her group not to disappoint the assembly, as some previous beneficiaries had done. 

The Chairman of West Akim Federation of Disabled, Abdulai Suleman, thanked the President and the assembly for the disbursement, which he said would go a long way to improve the lives of the PWDs in the municipality.