The Wa Municipal Assembly has disbursed GH¢179,350 from the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) component of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to support 49 beneficiaries in the areas of education, healthcare, income-generating activities and personal welfare.
The beneficiaries received cash grants and business equipment, including weaving looms, welding machines, deep freezers, salon equipment and laptops, during a ceremony held in Wa.
Speaking at the event, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Wa, Issah Nurah Dawanaa, urged beneficiaries to use the support for its intended purpose to improve their livelihoods and work towards achieving financial independence.
Mr. Dawanaa explained that the government’s decision to increase the allocation for persons with disabilities from 3% to 5% of the District Assemblies Common Fund would allow more people living with disabilities to benefit from the programme.
He further noted that reforms in the disbursement process had improved transparency and increased the amount of funds reaching assemblies, which would in turn enhance support for beneficiaries.
“The money coming to the assemblies has increased because a greater percentage of the Common Fund is now released directly to us. This means allocations to persons with disabilities will also continue to increase,” he added.
The MCE disclosed that although 49 applicants benefited in the current phase, additional beneficiaries would be supported after more applications are processed.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, Boyd Gilbert, said the Disability Fund Management Committee received more than 500 applications but approved only 49 following a thorough vetting process.
According to him, 33 beneficiaries received support for income-generating activities, including petty trading, weaving and table-top businesses.
He added that five beneficiaries were provided with educational assistance worth GH¢27,000, which included laptops and learning materials, while seven others received GH¢20,000 to cater for medical expenses such as surgeries, medication and hospital examinations.
Another three beneficiaries received GH¢7,000 for personal upkeep, while GH¢10,000 was allocated for the construction of a disability-friendly entrance at Wa FM to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Mr. Gilbert explained that applicants seeking business support were interviewed to assess their readiness before approval.
He assured applicants who were not selected in the current phase that additional allocations had been received and more beneficiaries would be supported in subsequent disbursement exercises.
“The purpose of this fund is to empower persons with disabilities to become economically independent. Since resources are limited, beneficiaries will continue to be selected in batches as funds become available,” he said.
Representing persons with disabilities on the Common Fund Management Committee, Robert Dugra commended the Municipal Assembly for providing members with both cash and business equipment.
He urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the support to ensure the programme achieves its intended objectives.
“If it is cash, use it judiciously. If it is equipment, ensure it is used for the purpose it was provided. During our monitoring visits, we expect to see these items helping beneficiaries establish sustainable businesses,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Wa Municipal Disability Association, Kutum Abdullah, also expressed appreciation to the Assembly, describing the intervention as a major boost for persons with disabilities.
One of the beneficiaries, Zulifata Salifu, a professional weaver, said the support would enable her to establish her own weaving business.
“I have always wanted to start my weaving business but I couldn’t afford the materials. With the equipment I have received today, I can now begin working. I am very grateful for this support,” she said.
