Offinso-Ashanti, April 25, GNA - Mr Philip Bediako, National Vice-President of Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) on Tuesday, said the association was not for profit making but to champion the cause of members to improve their living standards.

He said they had potentials to contribute towards the country's socio-economic development and asked the public to give them the necessary support.

Mr Bediako made the observation at the inauguration of the Offinso District branch of the association at Offinso-Ashanti. He expressed concern about most metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies that had refused to comply with Government's directive to support disabled persons with five per cent of their allocation of the Assemblies Common Fund and asked them to comply with the directive forthwith.

Mr Bediako called on members to intensify education to their colleagues to stop begging for alms on the streets and acquire vocational skills to be self-employed.

Mr Augustine Charles Ntim, Offinso District Chief Executive in a speech read on his behalf said the assembly was prepared to support them with funds to undertake income generation activities. He asked members of the association to take advantage of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and register to be employed under any of the modules.

Mr Osei Assibey, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the association stressed the need for the public to give the blind the necessary support and not to neglect them in society.

He asked the executives to work hard to improve the welfare of members. Mr Emmanuel D. Agyarko is Chairman of the six-member executive committee.