Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Supports 162 PWDs With GH¢381,472 Disability Fund

The Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Assembly in the Savannah Region has supported 162 persons with disabilities (PWDs) with cash grants and livelihood equipment under the Disability Fund component of the District Assemblies Common Fund.

The intervention is aimed at helping beneficiaries establish or strengthen income-generating activities, improve their livelihoods and achieve greater economic independence.

A total of GH¢381,472 in cash grants was disbursed, alongside a range of livelihood items including 12 deep freezers, three laptops, six sewing machines, weaving equipment, an oven and motorised tricycles, among other support.

The programme brought together persons with disabilities, District Assembly officials, the Department of Social Welfare, traditional authorities, security personnel and residents.

PWDs Need Opportunity, Not Sympathy — DCE

Addressing the gathering, the District Chief Executive, Hon. Sinckikna Saka, said the support reflected the Assembly’s commitment to disability inclusion and ensuring that persons with disabilities were not left behind in the district’s development.

He said persons with disabilities in the district were already contributing to the local economy through farming, tailoring, entrepreneurship and other skills, but often required the necessary resources and equipment to expand their activities.

“What many of them need is not sympathy but opportunity and the right tools,” the DCE said.

Hon. Saka urged beneficiaries to use the cash grants and equipment responsibly and turn the support into sustainable sources of income.

He said the Assembly would continue to work toward creating opportunities that would enable persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in economic activities across the district.

WATCH: PWDs Receive Livelihood Support

Video credit: ZAA TV

The video captures highlights from the Disability Fund support programme in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, including the presentation of livelihood items and addresses delivered at the ceremony.

514 PWDs Registered Through Ongoing Data Exercise

The programme also highlighted the importance of reliable data in planning and delivering support to persons with disabilities.

The District Social Welfare Department disclosed that an ongoing data collection exercise had so far covered 16 electoral areas, with 514 persons living with disabilities registered.

The exercise is intended to provide the Assembly with accurate information on persons with disabilities across the district and help ensure that interventions reach the people who need them.

The Social Welfare Department said the data would also support efforts to facilitate the registration of persons with disabilities onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and improve their access to other social services.

The department indicated that the registration exercise would continue across the district, with Assembly members participating in the identification and registration of persons with disabilities in their respective electoral areas.

Beneficiaries Welcome the Support

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Imano Belikam expressed appreciation to the District Assembly and the committee responsible for implementing the Disability Fund.

He said the items provided were based on requests submitted by members of the disability community, adding that the intervention would help address some of their livelihood needs.

He appealed for continued engagement between the Assembly and persons with disabilities to ensure that future interventions respond to their practical needs and help improve their living conditions.

A Step Towards Economic Independence

For the 162 beneficiaries, the latest intervention provides both financial assistance and practical tools that can be used to generate income.

The combination of cash grants and livelihood equipment is expected to help beneficiaries establish or expand small businesses while reducing some of the economic barriers faced by persons with disabilities.

The ongoing registration exercise could also provide the Assembly with a broader picture of the disability population and help guide future interventions across the district.

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PHOTO CREDIT: ZAA TV

Livelihood equipment provided to beneficiaries under the Disability Fund in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District. Photo: ZAA TV.

Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Chief Executive, Hon. Sinckikna Saka, addressing the gathering. Photo: ZAA TV.

A beneficiary receives support under the Disability Fund programme. Photo: ZAA TV.

Beneficiaries and guests at the Disability Fund support programme in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba. Photo: ZAA TV.