The Atiwa East District Assembly has provided livelihood support items to selected Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the district to help them establish or expand income-generating activities and improve their economic independence.
The items, which included deep freezers, sewing machines, a fufu machine, cooking oil, rice and other business-related materials, were distributed to beneficiaries under the Assembly’s efforts to promote social inclusion, economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods for Persons with Disabilities.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atiwa East, Hon. Ernest Owusu Ntim, acknowledged the challenges Persons with Disabilities often face in accessing economic opportunities, resources and sustainable sources of income.
He said the Assembly recognised the importance of providing practical support that would enable PWDs to develop their skills, establish businesses and become economically self-reliant. He explained that the intervention was intended not merely as a form of assistance, but as an opportunity for beneficiaries to build sustainable livelihoods and improve their living conditions.
Hon. Owusu Ntim urged the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the items and ensure that they were used strictly for their intended purposes. He encouraged them to approach the support with commitment and determination and to use the resources as a foundation for developing viable businesses.
The DCE further advised the beneficiaries to take good care of the items and work closely with the Assembly and relevant departments to ensure that the intervention achieved its intended objectives. He noted that the successful utilisation of the items would strengthen the Assembly’s efforts to extend similar support to other Persons with Disabilities in the district.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to promoting an inclusive development agenda in which Persons with Disabilities would have equal opportunities to participate in economic and social activities.
Hon. Owusu Ntim stressed that disability should not be a barrier to productivity or participation in community development, and encouraged beneficiaries to take advantage of available opportunities to improve their businesses, support their families and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
The Social Welfare Director, Madam Cynthia Oklu, also encouraged the beneficiaries to use the items responsibly and maintain regular contact with the Department of Social Welfare for guidance and support where necessary.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Samuel Adasi, a representative of Persons with Disabilities, expressed appreciation to the government and the District Assembly for the intervention.
He said the items would provide beneficiaries with the means to engage in various economic activities and improve their livelihoods. He appealed to the Assembly and other stakeholders to continue supporting Persons with Disabilities through additional livelihood opportunities, skills development and other forms of assistance that could promote their long-term self-reliance.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the support and pledged to put the items to productive use.
The intervention forms part of the Atiwa East District Assembly’s broader commitment to social protection, economic empowerment and inclusive development, with the expectation that the support will enable beneficiaries to generate income, improve their household welfare and participate more actively in the development of the district.
