A beneficiary of the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) component of the District Assemblies Common Fund in the Sissala East Municipality, popularly known as “Yakubu I shall not die,” has demonstrated how targeted government support can drive sustainable self-reliance. By pooling his share of the disbursement with personal savings, Yakubu acquired a “Motor King” tricycle and converted it into a water tanker to supply drinking water across Tumu town.

Expressing optimism during the presentation, he noted that the initiative would significantly improve his household’s upkeep and promised to make productive use of the asset. The disbursement event, organized by the Sissala East Municipal Assembly with some other key stakeholders and th3 media, provided comprehensive financial and material empowerment package to several beneficiaries.

In his key address, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Hon. Adamu Bening Yakubu highlighted that, a total of GHC 280,000.00 was allocated to 45 beneficiaries, comprising 31 females and 14 males to support business start-up capital, healthcare expenses, and educational needs. This follows an earlier first-quarter distribution of GHC 249,062.00 to 42 individuals.

Additionally, 12 livestock beneficiaries (8 males and 4 females) each received five animals to build sustainable rearing businesses, while six farming beneficiaries were supported with 48 bags of fertilizer and two boxes of weedicides (24 litres total) to boost crop production and food security.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nuhu Alhassan, the Municipal Social Welfare Officer and focal person for Persons with Disabilities, cautioned beneficiaries against mismanaging the funds. He urged them to invest the resources wisely so that the funds multiply, establishing a self-sustaining revolving fund for their families over the long term.

Representatives from the livestock farmers’ group also extended gratitude to the Assembly, pledging to carefully nurture and expand the livestock provided to them.

The Presiding Member, Hon. Alhassan Huaru, commended the government and Assembly for increasing the disability share of the Common Fund from 3% to 5%. Hon. Huaru conveyed appeals from fellow Assembly members, urging the Social Welfare Department to extend outreach to remote villages to capture more deserving persons living with disabilities who are yet to benefit from the intervention.

By Bashiru Nuhu Bapagu