On 17th September 2024 the Bosome Freho District Assembly, in collaboration with the Social Welfare and Community Development Department, organized a durbar aimed at empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) through the provision of essential equipment for economic activities. The initiative aligns with the district’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of PWDs by enhancing their financial independence and capacity to participate in productive ventures.
The main objective of the distribution was to provide PWDs with tools and machines that would facilitate their involvement in small-scale businesses, thereby promoting financial independence and social inclusion. The distribution was part of the government’s broader policy to support marginalized groups and encourage entrepreneurship among PWDs.
Items Distributed
The following items were distributed to selected beneficiaries based on their expressed needs and business plans:
Freezers and Refrigerators, Cocoa Spraying Machines, Fufu Pounding Machines, and Popcorn Machines. A total of fourteen (14) persons with disabilities benefitted from this initiative. Beneficiaries were selected based on a thorough needs assessment conducted by the Social Welfare and Community Development Department, ensuring that the tools provided would effectively meet their personal or business requirements.
The District Coordinating Director, Mr. Samuel Kyei-Baffour Frimpong on behalf of the Hon. DCE, in his address, emphasized the district’s commitment to improving the socio-economic conditions of persons with disabilities. He highlighted that the distribution was aimed at fostering self-reliance and reducing dependency by equipping beneficiaries with tools to create sustainable livelihoods.
He further stressed that the support from the Assembly would continue and that the district was dedicated to monitoring the progress of the beneficiaries to ensure the successful utilization of the equipment provided.
The Ag. District Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, Mr. Frank Konadu Asare, in his presentation said this social intervention program is there to alleviate poverty among PWDs as stated in the Disability Act 715. He appeals to the beneficiaries not to sell the items received since a monitoring team would be dispatched to ensure the items is still in existence.
The district coordinator of PWDs Mr. Kwakye Nkrumah expressed deep appreciation for the items distributed, noting that the equipment would greatly enhance their ability to generate income and become more self-sufficient. He expressed optimism about how these tools would help them improve their standard of living and contribute to the local economy.
Conclusion
The distribution of the above items to persons with disabilities marks a significant step towards economic empowerment for PWDs in the Bosome Freho District. Through the collaborative efforts of the District Coordinating Director and the Social Welfare and Community Development Department, this initiative promises to create a lasting impact by equipping PWDs with the tools necessary to participate fully in economic activities and improve their livelihoods.
