By: Jones Anlimah
The Adaklu District Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to resource Persons With Disabilities (PWD’s) in the district to earn a decent living without relying on handouts from others.
According to the Adaklu District Chief Executive (DCE), Juliana Kpedekpo, PWDs in the district would be supported in animal husbandry, farming, trading and education as well as other income generation activities to make them self reliant.
Ms Kpedekpo made these remarks at a ceremony to present business startup packages to persons with disabilities in the district.
Projects under which the support packages were presented included but not limited to animal husbandry, farming, trading, health, artisanry and education.
The items included but not limited cassava processors, insecticide, weed sprayers, various edible items and cash to enable some of the beneficiaries to start or enhance their petty businesses to improve their livelihoods.
The business start up packages were based on identified and individual needs and requests. A total of 44 beneficiaries benefited from the business support packages. Out of this 25 were males while females constituted 19.
The presentation of the packages was in fulfilment of the government’s policy direction on the efficient utilization of the three percent disability component of the district assembly’s common fund (DACF).
The District Chief Executive Officer for Adaklu, Juliana Kpedekpo said the assembly has so far registered 646 PWDs, made up of 338 males and 308 females. She assured of the assembly ‘s commitment towards ensuring the overall wellbeing of PWD’s in the district.
According to her the assembly would commit substantial funds to the health needs of PWDs in the district. “These will be in the broader development interest of the district and the nation,” she added.
She renewed her appeal for early release of the common fund to enable the assembly also assist PWD’s as and when need arises.
Ms Juliana Kpedekpo also cautioned the beneficiaries not to sell the items but rather make use of them to improve their source of livelihoods.
In a related development the DCE has also handed a total of 230 dual desks to the District Educational Directorate for distribution to basic schools in the district.
This is expected to help address the challenges of inadequate desks in some basic schools in the district.