INTRODUCTION
Economic Empowerment Equipment/items distribution has become an annual ritual to persons with disability to improve their living standards and livelihood. This has become necessary because their inability to perform as abled persons because of their physical, visual, hearing and mental impairments.
The Three (3) percent of District Assembly Common Fund allocated for the persons with disabilities to the Biakoye district assembly aims to alleviate poverty among all PWDs particularly those outside the formal sector of employment, and the enhancement of their social image through dignified labor.
OBJECTIVES OF THE FUND
a. To support the income generating activities of individual persons with
disabilities as a means of economic empowerment
b. To provide educational support for children, students and trainees with
disabilities.
c. To build the capacity of OPWDs in the districts to enable them to
advocate and assert their rights and undertake awareness raising and
sensitization on disability issues.
d. To support persons with disabilities have access to technical aids and other
assistive devices and equipment.
DISTRIBUTION OF ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT EQUIPMENT/ITEM
The programme started at 10:00 am with arrival of assembly staff, invited guests and beneficiaries with an opening prayer from a beneficiary to start the business of the day.
There was an introduction by the chairman for the occasion by the District Coordinating Director.
The district director of social welfare welcome address warmed the beneficiaries due to the fact that, they were impressed by the improvement in the processes involved in benefitting from the fund.
ADDRESS BY HON. DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Honourable Presiding Member,
District Coordinating Director
Distinguished Assembly Members,
Heads of Departments,
Representatives of the Disability Federation,
Our Cherished Beneficiaries,
Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good morning, and a warm welcome to everyone gathered here today.
It gives me great pleasure to join you for this important occasion which is the official distribution of economic empowerment items to our brothers and sisters living with disabilities in the Biakoye District.
Today’s event is not merely a ceremony of donation, but a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to inclusion, equity, and human dignity. As a District, we recognize that every individual, regardless of physical condition, has a vital role to play in the social and economic development of our communities.
This support is made possible through the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) allocation for Persons with Disabilities, a special initiative by government to empower and uplift the lives of PWDs across the country. The intent is to move away from a culture of dependence toward one of productivity and self-sufficiency.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the years, the Biakoye District Assembly has remained committed to ensuring that this fund is utilized transparently and purposefully.
Through the Disability Fund Management Committee, we have engaged the leadership of all communities (Assembly Members) to identify beneficiaries based on need, capacity, and business potential. Today, we are proud to present various empowerment items including; deep freezers, Fridge, fufu pounding machines, Cassava Milling machines.
However, Management and Executives of PWD also made it possible to offer funds to PWDs who opted for cash as capital instead of items, for income generation to support their livelihoods.
To our beneficiaries, I say this: make the most of this opportunity. Use these items wisely and responsibly. Let this support be the seed that grows into independence and prosperity, not just for you, but for your families and the larger community. The Assembly and our partners will continue to monitor and support you to ensure the sustainability of your ventures.
As a District, we remain committed to mainstreaming disability issues into our development agenda. We will continue to create enabling environments that promote accessibility, skill development, and participation of persons with disabilities in governance and local development.
Before I conclude, let me extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Central Government for doubling and tripling Common Fund and making it accessible for additional beneficiaries. Many thanks to the Disability Fund Management Committee, and our hardworking social welfare officers, together with all who have played a role in making this exercise successful. Together, we are building a more inclusive Biakoye District.
May this occasion inspire us all to continue supporting one another and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Thank you, and may God bless us all.
Long live the Biakoye District! Long live Ghana!
EQUIPMENT AND ITEMS DISTRIBUTED
A total of Eighteen (87) Persons with Disabilities benefitted from the Economic Empowerment items cash distributed on the 24th of October, 2025 at the Biakoye SDA JHS School, Nkonya-Ahenkro.
The items distributed were Ten (10) Cassava Milling Machines, Ten (10) Fufu Milling Machines, Ten (10) Deep Freezers, Six (6) Refrigerators and 51person’s received Start-up capital each.
CONCLUSION
It is estimated by the United Nations that about 82% of persons with disabilities live under the poverty line and 20% of the world’s poorest people are persons with disabilities. The more reason why the needs of these persons have to be attended to in the district. Enabling persons with disabilities has ripple effect on the entire society as a whole by reducing dependency on abled persons.
Report by : Suzan Kafui Kpodo
District Social Welfare and Community Development Officer
