Our partner, Skyy Media Group has supported the Wassa East District Assembly, in the Western region to build a GESI responsive digital album on Persons with Disabilities. The album which categorises the various forms and specific disability also captures the specific needs of each person with disability.
A total of 1,200 people in Wassa East were registered on the PWD digital album following a survey to ascertain the number of PWDs in the assembly. Following a needs assessment conducted by the district with support from SKyy Media Group, the District Assembly organised a presentation ceremony where a total of 230 Persons with Disability (PWD) in the district received various working tools and money to improve their living conditions. The presentation ceremony sponsored by Skyy Media Group was towards ensuring transparency of the process.
Out of the 230 beneficiaries, 49 received working tools whiles 175 received money expanding their businesses, 4 received educational scholarships and 2 medical supports as per the directives for disbursing and utilizing the 3% disability fund. The items include Community Radio Equipments, Solo Cocoa Spraying machines, sets of barbering kits, sewing machines, gas cylinders and ovens, wheel chairs, deep freezers, cassava processing machines and palm oil processing machines. The rest are education scholarships, medical fees and a start-up capital.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Wilson Arthur, indicated that subject to funds released, different sets of beneficiaries would be supported. He noted that the new vision of the assembly is “to be the most responsive assembly. We want to be known for responding quickly to the needs of our people”. He further indicated that a monitoring and evaluation team would be put in place to closely monitor the usage of both cash and items to ensure that they are being put to judicious use and that anyone who would misappropriate his or her fund would be sanctioned accordingly.
He commended Skyy media group and STAR-Ghana for assisting the assembly to get a district digital album on PWDs which, he noted was the first in country and would enhance planning and development in the district.
The DCE expressed his appreciation to STAR-Ghana and its funders (DANIDA, UK and EU) nothing that without the support of STAR-Ghana and it would have been difficult for the event to take place as the assembly had to feed participants and provide transportation to enable them participate and also transport their items home. “I am proud of the support we have received from STAR-Ghana as it is a strategic fit to our new vision. I know that the support will not be there every time but what we have now is something we can build on in ensuring transparency and responsiveness of our processes”.