The Keta Municipal Assembly in the Volta Region, has supported some 50 Persons Living with Disability (PWDs) with the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to empower them economically.
The initiative also demonstrated the Assembly’s’ commitment to supporting and helping PWDs within the area and recognising their contributions to society.
Mr Wisdom Seade, the Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), during a ceremony held at the Municipal assembly hall, encouraged PWDs to use the support received responsibly for the intended purpose that aimed at strengthening their livelihoods and demonstrate accountability.
“Our message to persons with disabilities is clear; they must see the importance of responsible use of the support received to enhance their livelihoods and promote self-reliance within the community to inspire sustainable independence,” he said.
He urged other PWDs who are yet to receive the support to exercise patience for their turn to improve their livelihood for better living conditions in the Municipality.
Mr Seade said the event called for collective action to promote inclusion, dignity, and self-reliance among persons with disabilities in the Keta Municipality to foster a supportive environment for empowerment and social integration.
He said that the Keta Municipal Assembly’s initiative also underscored the commitment to empower PWDs through financial support and advocacy against discrimination to further shape a more inclusive society in the municipality.
Madam Elikplim Klu, the Volta Regional Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation (GFD) Chairperson, said the stigma, discrimination, (Derogatory names) and ongoing challenges and abuse faced by some persons with disabilities, especially women has affected their dignity and participation in society.
“Despite the progress in funding, some PWDs in our societies still continue to face stigma, discrimination, and abuse, with women with disabilities being the most affected which undermined their dignity and full participation in society.”
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She said that the challenges of stigma, discrimination, and derogatory names against PWDs should be addressed by all stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and respect for the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure an equitable community.
She commended the Keta Municipal Assembly for the timely disbursement of the Common Fund and appealed that the future disbursements are made on time to avoid affecting livelihoods and business plans of PWDs.
She encouraged the assembly to adopt a fair and reasonable flat-rate allocation for economic empowerment of PWDs to ensure transparency, equity, and meaningful impact in their support programmes.
Madam Klu also called on PWDs to promote inclusive, dignity, and self-reliance to end the over reliance on families and relatives for sustainable and better living.
Mr Robert Ashie Kotey, Social Welfare Officer at Keta said 50 PWDs including 14 visually impaired, 23 physically challenged, a mental, three multiple disabilities, six hearing and three speech impaired with 24 male and 26 female benefited from the funding.
Some PWDs Ghana News Agency engaged expressed gratitude and thanked the municipal assembly and the government for the kind gesture that would transform their lives for the best and promised to use the funds well for their own benefit.
GNA
