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The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wa East, Hon. Adamu Shaibu, has assured persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the district that the Disability Common Fund (DCF) will not be diverted for any other purpose under his administration.
He gave the assurance during the recent disbursement of GH¢289,316.50 from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to 164 PWD beneficiaries in the Wa East District of the Upper West Region.
According to the DCE, the DCF is a critical intervention designed to empower PWDs economically and socially, and must therefore be used strictly for its intended purpose. The fund supports beneficiaries with financial assistance, productive equipment such as sewing machines, wheelchairs, refrigerators and vulcanising machines, as well as educational and medical expenses aimed at reducing poverty and promoting inclusion.
Hon. Shaibu stressed that any attempt to divert the fund would be a grave injustice to the vulnerable persons it is meant to support.
“Diverting this fund for other purposes will be one of the greatest crimes somebody can commit against humanity. As the Assembly I am leading, every pesewa that belongs to persons with disabilities will be spent on them. No matter the challenges we face in other sectors, this sector must always be taken care of,” he stated.
The disbursement exercise was carried out in line with national guidelines that require all District Assemblies to establish Disability Fund Management Committees (DFMCs) to vet applications, monitor the use of funds and ensure transparency and accountability.
Beneficiaries received cheques covering school fees and medical bills, as well as start-up equipment including industrial sewing machines and wheelchairs to support self-reliance and income-generating activities.
The Wa East DCE further encouraged PWDs to invest the support they receive into viable businesses to improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to local economic development.
Meanwhile, the Wa East Chairperson of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, Domonige Gordon, commended the Assembly for the disbursement but urged it to intensify outreach efforts to identify more persons living with disabilities who are unaware of the fund.
He noted that expanding awareness would ensure that more eligible PWDs benefit from the intervention and enjoy improved living standards across the district.
Source: Ghana/channel247online.com/RafiqNungorAdam
