By Fred Asare and Fred Duodu ~ Voltaonlinegh.com ~

237 Persons with Disabilities in the Agotime Ziope District of the Volta Region have received support to engage in profit making ventures to enhance their livelihood.

The beneficiaries who amount to 37 percent of 669 total number of PWDS on the assembly’s disability album were drawn from various backgrounds and locations.

The support they got which the Assembly described as Start-up kits forms part of government’s initiative to make PWDs self-dependent by providing them with livelihood support financed with 3% of the District Assembly’s Common Fund (DACF) for the year. Those yet to benefit amount to 432.

The items were shared in two phases, the first face had 42 beneficiaries while the second phase which is worth about GHC120,000 had 195 beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries, most of whom requested to go into petty trading got 5 double-decker freezers, 105 50 kg bags of beans, 110 105 kg bags of maize, 50 kg 102 bags of Gari, 25 kg 115 bags of rice, 115 25 litres of vegetable cooking oil and 115 cartons of soft drinks.

Two motorbikes were also presented, while some other beneficiaries received cash to cater for their medical needs.

The Agotime Ziope District Chief Executive (DCE), Dickson Dzokpe, entreated the beneficiaries to use the items for the intended purpose. He added the assembly has prioritised the wellbeing of persons with disability and committed to improving their living standards.

The Chairman of the Agotime Ziope District PWDs Association, Prosper Kporku, lauded government for the initiative and prayed that those who have not been served will be served as soon as the next tranche of Common Fund is received from government.