Thirty-one Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Oforikrom Municipality have received livelihood support packages aimed at enhancing their economic independence and improving their quality of life.

The items, funded through the District Assembly Common Fund, were presented on behalf of the Oforikrom Municipal Assembly by the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development.

The beneficiaries received a range of support based on their individual needs and business proposals.

These included deep freezers with fridge guards, popcorn machines with accessories, industrial sewing machines, assistive devices, payment of medical bills, and educational support. 

The Assembly also provided start-up capital for charcoal and cold store businesses, as well as organizational support in the form of a laptop and printer for the Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD) in the municipality.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Municipal Chief Executive for Oforikrom, Anwel Ahmed Sadat, said the timely disbursement of the PWD fund by the Mahama administration reflects the government’s commitment to disability inclusion and social protection.

He noted that the municipality has a recorded population of over 400 persons with disabilities, and pledged that his administration will work to ensure that all of them benefit from the livelihood support program before the end of his tenure.

"The government has fulfilled its promise of increasing the PWD allocation from 3% to 5% of the District Assembly Common Fund. This is a clear demonstration that disability issues are being prioritized," Mr. Sadat stated.

He further noted that responsible use of the items would lead to increased allocations in subsequent years, and urged the beneficiaries to put the equipment and capital to productive use.

"These items are not meant for personal consumption. I urge you to use them to expand your businesses, create employment opportunities, and improve your livelihoods. Maintain them well so they can serve you for a long time. When you put them to good use, you will not only better your lives but also convince the government to do even more for persons with disabilities," he advised the PWDs.

The MCE assured that funds earmarked for PWDs will be managed transparently and used strictly for their intended purpose.

"My office is open for accountability any day, at any time, regarding the utilization of PWD funds. We have a duty to ensure that every cedi meant for PWDs works for PWDs," he said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Mary Serwaa Adjen, also known as Mary Serwaa Oppong-Peprah, Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development for the Municipality, said the selection process was needs-based to ensure fairness and impact.

She noted that a proper record-keeping system and a monitoring committee have been introduced to help track the progress of beneficiaries.

According to her, 35 out of 37 beneficiaries of last December’s support package have used their items for their intended purpose, following checks by the monitoring team. 

She said the feedback shows the intervention has impacted their lives positively, with many reporting increased income and improved livelihoods.

"In December 2025, we supported about 37 beneficiaries. After our monitoring exercise, we found that only 2 of them were unable to utilize the support for its intended purpose. This shows that the majority are using the items well and the initiative is having a positive impact. As a department, we will continue to monitor beneficiaries after every disbursement and provide them with coaching to ensure that they succeed and the support translates into sustainable livelihoods," Mrs. Adjen stated.

The representative of Persons with Disabilities on the Oforikrom Municipal Social Welfare and Community Development Committee, Anthony Kofi, has appealed to beneficiaries to safeguard the items they received and to justify the trust the government has placed in them.

He said the support packages were not a one-off gesture but part of a broader government policy to empower PWDs economically and promote inclusive development.

Mr. Kofi also cautioned members of the general public against purchasing items distributed to PWDs by the government.

He added that such acts of buying from beneficiaries undermine the purpose of the intervention and discourage the government from doing more.

 "To the public, I am making a passionate appeal. Do not buy items that the government gives to PWDs. These tools are meant to help us become independent. Even if a beneficiary approaches you to sell because of hardship, please have sympathy for their condition. Instead of buying, encourage them to use the item to improve their livelihood. That is the real help they need," he said.

Mr. Kofi noted that the success of the program depends on collective responsibility — from the Assembly, the Social Welfare Department, beneficiaries, and the community.

"If we all play our part, more PWDs in Oforikrom and across the country will benefit. But if the items are misused or sold, it sends the wrong message. Let us protect this initiative so that the government will be encouraged to increase support in the coming years," he concluded.