80 Persons With Disabilities Receive Support From Bibiani Assembly; MP Cautions Beneficiaries to Protect Items

80 Persons With Disabilities Receive Support From Bibiani Assembly; MP Cautions Beneficiaries to Protect Items

The Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal Assembly, through its Social Welfare and Community Development Department, has provided livelihood support to 80 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the municipality as part of efforts to promote their economic empowerment, independence and social inclusion.

The initiative is aimed at equipping beneficiaries with the necessary resources to establish or expand small businesses, generate sustainable income and improve their standard of living.

The items and assistance distributed to the beneficiaries included refrigerators, laptop computers, fufu-pounding machines, block-making machines, knitting machines, financial support and other livelihood-enhancing equipment.

The support is expected to enable beneficiaries to develop sustainable livelihoods and reduce their dependence on family members and other individuals for their daily needs.

Speaking during the presentation, the Member of Parliament for the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Constituency, Hon. Bright Asamoah Brefo, urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the items presented to them and use them for the intended purposes.

He cautioned beneficiaries against neglecting, selling or misusing the items, stressing that the support was provided to help improve their livelihoods and economic well-being.

Hon. Bright Asamoah Brefo encouraged the beneficiaries to see the items as an opportunity to become more productive and financially independent, adding that responsible use of the support could make a significant difference in their lives.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai, Hon. Sebastian Obeng, explained that the distribution of the support is being done in batches to ensure that more persons with disabilities across the municipality get the opportunity to benefit.

He appealed to those who have not yet received support to remain patient, assuring them that the programme is ongoing and other eligible beneficiaries would be considered in subsequent phases.

The MCE further encouraged beneficiaries who have received the items to put them to productive use and make the most of the opportunity provided by the government and the Municipal Assembly.

The Municipal Social Welfare Officer, Mr. Ellis Mensah, also appealed to parents and guardians of children living with disabilities not to hide them in their homes because of stigma, discrimination or societal misconceptions.

According to him, the government has various interventions and programmes designed to support persons with disabilities, particularly in the areas of education, skills development, entrepreneurship and livelihood empowerment.

Mr. Mensah therefore urged parents and guardians to bring children living with disabilities forward, register them with the appropriate authorities and allow them to benefit from available government interventions.

He emphasized that disability should not be a reason for a child to be denied education, social interaction or opportunities to develop their talents.

He noted that with proper support, guidance and access to opportunities, persons with disabilities can acquire skills, establish businesses, become economically independent and make meaningful contributions to the development of their families and communities.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the government, the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal Assembly and the Social Welfare and Community Development Department for the support.

They said the items and financial assistance would help them improve their businesses and livelihoods, and pledged to take good care of the items and use them for their intended purposes.

The beneficiaries also appealed for continued support and the expansion of such programmes to cover more persons living with disabilities in the municipality.

The presentation forms part of efforts to promote the welfare, dignity, inclusion and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality.

Source:Bibianinews.com