The Ajumako Enyan Essiam District Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with the District Assembly, has presented livelihood-enhancing items and financial support to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the district, reaffirming the government’s commitment to economic empowerment and social inclusion.
The presentation ceremony, held at Ajumako, saw dozens of beneficiaries receive equipment including fufu pounding machines, cassava processing machines, refrigerators, sewing machines, and pepper grinding machines, alongside cheques ranging from GHS 2,000 to GHS 5,000 to support start-up businesses and educational needs. The initiative forms part of the District Assembly’s allocation from the national Common Fund, which mandates a percentage be reserved to support persons with special needs.
Speaking at the ceremony, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Andrews Kojo Duodu, emphasized that the program fulfills a key government promise to economically uplift PWDs and other disadvantaged groups. He disclosed that over 500 individuals applied for support in the district, with the first batch of beneficiaries receiving their items while distribution to remaining applicants is ongoing.
“These items are meant to empower you, not to be sold. Use them well to transform your lives and those of your families,” Hon. Duodu advised the recipients.
Mr. Eric Frimpong Boateng, Head of Social Welfare and Community Development for the district, explained that the selected beneficiaries would receive aid across three key areas: education, health, and income-generating activities. He urged recipients to use the support responsibly, highlighting the program’s goal of reducing dependency on public almsgiving and street begging.
The initiative has not been without challenges. Mr. Christopher Mensah, Chair of the Disability Fund Management Committee, noted that some previous beneficiaries had misused their start-up items—such as deep freezers—by repurposing them for personal use rather than income generation. He appealed to current recipients to avoid such practices and focus on improving their livelihoods.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the government and the District Assembly for the support. A 33-year-old woman from Enyan Denkyira who received GHS 4,000 to expand her mobile money business was among those who shared their appreciation. Enoch Obeng from Breman Essiam, who received a pepper grinding machine after illness left him abandoned and contemplating suicide, said the gesture restored his hope and gave him a means to earn a living.
Mr. Ishak Adams, Chair of the District Disability Federation, expressed gratitude for the continued support and called on individuals with disabilities who have yet to join the federation to do so, stressing that collective advocacy is key to accessing resources and amplifying their voices.
The District Assembly has assured that monitoring teams will be deployed to ensure beneficiaries make proper use of the items. Mr. Boateng added that the Assembly would monitor the proper use of the equipment and advised beneficiaries against selling them or returning to street begging.
The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to empowering PWDs and fostering economic inclusion in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District, with officials pledging that distribution to the remaining applicants will continue in subsequent batches.