The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has empowered 88 Physically Challenged Persons with working tools and start-up capital worth over GHS 300,000.
Presenting the package to them on Friday, Valentine’s Day, the Mayor of Accra, Mr Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the move affirms the Assembly’s commitment to social inclusion and economic empowerment.
He used the platform to comfort the beneficiaries, saying the state in which they found themselves was not their fault, adding that being differently-abled does not make them less human.
The package, which was divided into financial support of GH¢116,800.00 and working tools, costing GH¢197,119.40, was given to 50 males and 38 females.
The items distributed included thirty-eight 200-litre Nasco deep freezers, one showcase refrigerator, three fufu blending machines, five industrial sewing machines, and one industrial knitting machine, at GH¢300 each.
The rest were three gas popcorn machines with 6kg gas cylinders and GH¢500 each, one 2000W high-pressure washer, one electric wheelchair, one pair of hearing aids, and one laptop.
In addition, 32 beneficiaries also received financial support of GH¢3,000 each, while one person received GH¢3,000 as educational support.
The beneficiaries included 46 physically challenged persons, 11 visually impaired persons, 10 hearing impaired persons, six persons with cerebral palsy, four with Down syndrome, two with epilepsy, two mentally challenged persons, and two with multiple disabilities.
Three intellectually challenged persons, one person with autism, and one with a learning disability.
The Mayor recounted a recent personal experience involving his bodyguard, Gideon Lamptey, popularly known as ‘Adodo’, who is hearing and speech impaired, noting that engaging him had reinforced his belief that persons with disabilities only required understanding and the right support systems to perform effectively.
Bala Ali, ISD
