The Ejisu Municipal Assembly has taken a significant step towards improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities in the municipality with the distribution of start-up equipment to selected beneficiaries.
The initiative forms part of the Assembly’s commitment to promoting inclusive development and empowering vulnerable groups to become economically independent.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Deaconess Jerryn Asante, explained that the support was made possible through the District Assemblies Common Fund, which allocates five per cent of its resources specifically to persons with disabilities.
According to her, the allocation is intended to provide meaningful assistance to disabled persons by equipping them with the tools needed to engage in productive ventures and improve their standard of living.
Deaconess Asante noted that the items distributed included industrial sewing machines, fufu pounding machines, printers, ovens, and wheelchairs.
She said the equipment was carefully selected to match the needs and economic activities of the beneficiaries, with the ultimate goal of reducing hardship and creating sustainable sources of income.
She observed that many persons with disabilities face serious socio-economic challenges, including limited access to employable skills and opportunities. As a result, some had previously resorted to begging for survival, placing additional strain on their families and becoming dependent on society.
“This intervention is to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in our development agenda. With these tools, beneficiaries can establish small businesses, support themselves, and contribute meaningfully to the local economy,” she stressed.
The MCE urged recipients to make good use of the equipment for the intended purposes, cautioning that the items were not meant for sale. She warned that any beneficiary found selling the equipment would face legal consequences.
To ensure accountability and sustainability, Deaconess Asante disclosed that the Assembly, through the Social Welfare Department, would closely monitor the use of the distributed items.
In his remarks, the Municipal Coordinator of the Disabled, Mr. Eric Kwabena Bediako, expressed profound gratitude to the government, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for prioritising the welfare of persons with disabilities.
He assured the Assembly that beneficiaries would use the equipment responsibly and productively to improve their livelihoods.
Mr. Bediako further appealed for continued support and expanded interventions to uplift persons with disabilities, emphasising that inclusive governance remains key to improving their living standards and ensuring equal participation in society.
The presentation ceremony was met with appreciation from beneficiaries, many of whom described the gesture as life-changing and a renewed opportunity to build independent and dignified lives.
The initiative underscores the Ejisu Municipal Assembly’s dedication to social protection, empowerment, and the creation of equal opportunities for all residents, regardless of physical ability.
