Kumasi Mayor Distributes Funds and Items to Persons with Disabilities on World Disability Day
Kumasi Mayor Distributes Funds and Items to Persons with Disabilities on World Disability Day
- Hon. Samuel Pyne, allocated a total of 181,710 Ghana cedis in cash and items to support persons with disabilities
- A total of 34 PWDs, including students, traders, and artisans, received financial aid to support their education and business ventures
- These donations were made possible through the District Assembly Common Fund
On December 3, 2024, the Mayor of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Hon. Samuel Pyne, allocated a total of 181,710 Ghana cedis in cash and items to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) as part of World Disability Day celebrations.
A total of 34 PWDs, including students, traders, and artisans, received financial aid to support their education and business ventures, while 14 others were provided with items such as industrial sewing machines, chest freezers, and mailing machines, based on their specific needs.
These donations were made possible through the District Assembly Common Fund, which designates 3% of its funds to assist PWDs.
At a durbar held at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) premises, Hon. Samuel Pyne highlighted the government’s dedication to improving the lives and futures of individuals with disabilities. He reiterated that “disability is not inability” and urged recipients to use the funds and items responsibly to create better opportunities for themselves.
The Mayor also assured the PWDs that the assembly’s social welfare department remains available to provide ongoing support, provided the assistance is utilized wisely.
Social Welfare Director’s Remarks: Mrs. Esther Apraku Nkyarko, the Metro Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development (DSWCD), emphasized that approximately 16% of the global population are PWDs, underlining the importance of addressing their needs to enable them to contribute to the economy. She described this year’s World Disability Day theme, “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,” as particularly relevant, given the significant role PWDs can play in society.
Mrs. Nkyarko, along with the Mayor, encouraged the beneficiaries to use the support effectively to help achieve the government’s goals of inclusion and sustainability.
Beneficiary’s Gratitude: Isaiah Ofori, a level 400 student at the University of Education, Winneba, who received financial support, expressed his gratitude to both the government and the KMA for their assistance. He vowed to make the most of the support and urged other PWDs to adopt a determined attitude to overcome challenges and achieve success.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.
