The beneficiaries received items such as deep freezers, sewing machines, corn mill machines, provisions, speakers, electronic keyboards, popcorn machines, baking ovens, hair dryers, refrigerators and shoe making equipment among others.

Being the second to be organised this year, the presentation was from the three per cent allocation to the PWDs from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).

Ninety individuals with disability have so far benefited from the programme.

Disbursement

At the ceremony to disburse the items, the Municipal Chief Executive of the assembly, Mr George Blay, said the move was in fulfilment of the government's responsibility to support PWDs in the country as stipulated in the Constitution.

He said the items were meant to empower the beneficiaries to use the items to improve their livelihoods.

However, he said, the items had been embossed with the name of the assembly to help in easy monitoring.

“This time round, we will not just give you the items, but monitor how you would use them. We have embossed our stickers on the items to track them. We want to empower you to make a living to support yourselves and your caregivers, so do not sell the items presented to you,” he warned the beneficiaries.

He used the occasion to plead with the public to get involved in the December 17 referendum to decide if metropolitan municipal and district chief executives should be voted for or appointed by the President.

Prosecution

The Programme Officer of the National Council for PWDs, Mr Christian Alorfa Agbesi, who is also a member of the Disability Management Fund Committee, explained that most beneficiaries after receiving the items sold them out and did not use them for their intended purpose.

He warned PWDs and their caregivers against selling the items or they will face prosecution.

“Legally, the items are not meant for sale, therefore, beneficiaries or their relatives who sell the items will face the law,” he said.

Mr Agbesi further noted that the Disability Management Fund Committee was set up to oversee the disbursement and management of the Disability Fund, and expressed hope that they would work together with the assembly to ensure that the items were used and not sold.

“Our monitoring team will come round to see whether the items are being used, when you sell yours, you will be punished,” he said.

The beneficiaries, on the other hand, thanked the assembly for their gesture and promised to use the items presented to better their lives.