The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), with support from the World Bank has launched an enterprise support programme under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project to provide 150 Enterprises of Persons With Disabilities (PWD) with about ¢12 million grant.

According to Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Stephen Amoah, the grant is expected to help PWDs to upscale their businesses and create new businesses to contribute to economic development.

The PWD Enterprise Support Programme will provide the enterprises with technical assistance in forms of modules that will equip the SMEs with the basic knowledge of how to utilize technology to augment their operational capacity, business plan development and marketing to help attract investments and funding. The programme will focus on agribusiness, manufacturing, hospitality and other sectors.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Stephen Amoah said the initiative is intended to foster job creation and the competitiveness of PWDs in the country.

“The objective is to promote inclusive economic growth and gender equality. The persons with disability enterprises support programme will focus on promoting the welfare of enterprises owned by Person’s with Disability through business and financial management trainings and grand funding.”

“A total of 150 enterprises owned by Persons with Disability will be supported with about GHC 12 million in technical assistance and grants. Supporting persons with Disability in Ghana is essential for upholding quality inclusivity and fostering economic empowerment”, he added.

Country Director of the World Bank, Pierre Frank Laporte stated that the programme will generally contribute to the growth of the private sector.

The Chief Executive of the Ghana Enterprises Agency Kosi Yankey Ayeh said the programme will address challenges faced by PWDs with regards to unemployment.

Fund sizes will be approved and disbursed based on the firm’s capacity to absorb the new investments and the grants may be used for equipment repair and equipment installation, working capital expenditure including raw material costs, rental payments and product certification.

Persons With Disabilities were encouraged to take advantage of the support programme to grow their businesses.