The Ministry of Business Development has disbursed an amount of two hundred thousand Ghana Cedis (200, 000) to Persons living with disabilities in the Northern, North East and Savannah regions to support their small businesses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The beneficiaries were selected from all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the three regions numbering about three hundred (300) individuals and given capacity building training before they received the financial support.
The packages were into four categories namely; Food and Beverages, Fashion, Agriculture and Trade and Commerce.
The sector Minister, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal on Tuesday 22 September, tasked the beneficiaries to judiciously use the monies to build their businesses and create more jobs for others.
He noted thst Ghana has about 1.2 million people living with all forms of disabilities and that the Akufo-Addo government this year is investing two million Ghana cedis to support these persons with disabilities to grow their businesses.
Dr Awal said GHC200,000 Ghana cedis out of the amount will be disbursed to those in the north, adding it has also become necessary because of the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country.
The Minister lamented even before the pandemic that persons with disabilities were suffering, explaining they never had good jobs, good health and education.
“So the President has asked us to come because he wants to build a good society and you cannot build a prosperous society leaving 1.2 million people outside the scope, Ghana will not develop. President Akufo-Addo says that no matter your health, religion and tribe, he wants you to contribute to the development of Ghana” he added.
Dr Ibrahim Awal disclosed that next year, the New Patriotic Party led administration when voted back to continue its good programmes and policy interventions will spend 5 million Ghana cedis into the businesses of the PWD
He further urged the beneficiaries to vote massively for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the 7 December, 2020 general election and the NPP Parliamentary Candidates in the 275 constituencies across Ghana.
The persons with disability business support initiative conforms to the United Nations sustainable development goals 1 and 8 which promote no poverty and decent work and economic growth respectively.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the government for the support after receiving their funds in Tamale.
They pledge to vote for the NPP for the continuous recognition and respect the PWDs are given in the country.
Madam Mukarama from Walewale in the North East region promised to use her money to expand her retail shop and thanked the President and Vice President for the support.
Another beneficiary, Madam Sanatu Nuhu from the Yendi municipality when given her money broke into tears, saying this support means a lot to her and the family and that she will ensure the money is put to good use.
Meanwhile, the North East and Savannah Regional Ministers Hon Solomon Boar and Hon Salifu Adam Briamah respectively were present together with some of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as Members of Parliament to participate in the function.
