The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA) has cautioned Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) within the metropolis to desist from begging along major streets and in the central business district after receiving financial support from the Disability Common Fund.
The Assembly has also urged leaders of disability groups to ensure that beneficiaries of the fund invest the money in productive ventures rather than returning to the streets to beg.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Tamale, Alhaji Abu Takoro, gave the warning on Tuesday during the second disbursement of the Persons with Disabilities Common Fund at the Regional Department of Social Welfare and Community Development in Tamale.
Tamale Mayor presenting cheque of GHC 3000 to beneficiary
A total of GH¢240,900 was distributed to 105 beneficiaries, with each recipient receiving between GH¢3,000 and GH¢4,000 depending on the nature of their approved projects.
The MCE disclosed that during the first phase of the disbursement, the Assembly released GH¢249,100 to 103 persons with disabilities. Altogether, the Assembly has earmarked GH¢863,992.16 from its share of the District Assemblies Common Fund for PWDs to support approved activities in health, education, petty trading, farming and other income-generating ventures.
According to him, the Assembly is committed to improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities and expects beneficiaries to use the funds for the intended purposes to become economically self-reliant.
Alhaji Abu Takoro stressed that the Assembly would not tolerate situations where beneficiaries continue to beg on the streets after receiving financial assistance.
He further disclosed that the Assembly had received reports that some individuals were attempting to benefit from the Disability Common Fund in both the Tamale and Sagnarigu Metropolitan Assemblies.
Describing the practice as fraudulent, he warned that the two assemblies would collaborate by comparing beneficiaries’ records to identify and eliminate duplicate beneficiaries to ensure that deserving persons are not denied the opportunity to access the support.
The Tamale Metropolitan Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Musah Abdul Majeed, appealed to beneficiaries to invest the money in the projects for which they applied.
He said the department would undertake regular monitoring to ensure the funds are properly utilized and achieve their intended purpose of improving the socio-economic conditions of persons with disabilities.
One of the, Florence Anabila Anaba expressed appreciation to the Assembly for the support.
She explained that the previous assistance she received enabled her to expand her tailoring business and pledged to use the GH¢3,000 she received this year to complete her tailoring container shop.
