YILO KROBO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY SUPPORTS 108 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly has supported 108 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with livelihood assistance under the 2026 Persons with Disability Common Fund, as part of Government’s broader efforts to reduce poverty, promote inclusion and empower vulnerable persons to become economically self-reliant.

The intervention reflects the Assembly’s commitment to improving the welfare and socio-economic well-being of Persons with Disabilities and ensuring that they have meaningful opportunities to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the development of their families and communities.

Speaking at the presentation, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Francis Addo Akumatey, disclosed that 164 applications were received from across the Municipality, out of which 108 applicants were selected following needs assessments, verification and a thorough vetting process by the Disability Fund Management Committee.

He explained that the beneficiaries comprise 27 persons from the Somanya zonal area and 81 from the Nkurakan, Agogo and Sikabeng zonal areas.

The support package was tailored to the individual livelihood needs and interests of the beneficiaries. It included 22 chest freezers, four double-door fridges, 17 fufu processing machines, 11 cassava processing machines, one tomato processing machine, 10 polytanks, six industrial machines and one knitting machine.

Other beneficiaries received 200 bags of charcoal, onions, maize, store provisions, farm inputs, fence wire, 50 foldable chairs and an irrigation machine/pump. Two beneficiaries were supported with inputs for animal rearing involving goats and sheep, while nine beneficiaries received pairs of crutches as assistive devices.

Additionally, five beneficiaries received cash support to establish or strengthen livelihood activities, including cold store operations, shoemaking, container/shop businesses, caregiving services and smoked fish trading.

The MCE expressed his appreciation to H.E. John Dramani Mahama for the increase in the allocation for the Disability Fund from 3% to 5%, noting that the increased allocation has enabled Assemblies to support more beneficiaries and provide higher-value items capable of making a greater impact on their livelihoods.

He urged the beneficiaries to see the assistance as an opportunity to improve their lives and encouraged them to use the items strictly for their intended purposes, maintain them properly and cooperate with monitoring officers to ensure that the intervention delivers the desired results.

The Head of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Madam Na-Afua Tettey, also emphasised the importance of using the support responsibly. She noted that the intervention was designed to help beneficiaries improve their livelihoods, achieve greater economic independence and make meaningful contributions to their families and communities.

On behalf of Persons with Disabilities in the Municipality, Madam Vida Niine Awaitey, President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) in Yilo Krobo, expressed appreciation to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Municipal Chief Executive and the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development for the support.

She noted that the intervention would provide valuable opportunities for PWDs across Somanya, Nkurakan, Sikabeng and Agogo, and thanked the authorities for their continued efforts to improve the welfare of Persons with Disabilities.

The presentation was attended by other dignitaries, including Deputy Director John Mframah and the Presiding Member of the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, Hon. Edwin Yao Tengey, alongside staff, beneficiaries and representatives of the disability community.