Regional News of Saturday, 4 November 2006

Source: GNA

Disabled persons launched educational fund

Mankessim (C/R) Nov. 4 GNA-The Central Regional branch of the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled on Friday launched an Educational Fund to support them, especially the youth among them to acquire skills that would make them employable.

The Secretary of the branch, Mr. Jehoshaphat Isaac Mensah, who launched the fund said about 90 per cent of Persons With Disability (PWD) do not attend school, a situation that made them to take to begging on the streets.

Mr. Mensah therefore, appealed to NGOs, philanthropists and individuals, religious bodies and other well wishers to contribute to the fund.

The District Chief Executive for Mfantseman, Mr. Robert Quainoo Arthur, who represented the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur said the government has initiated good programmes to improve the living standard of all Ghanaians, including the disabled bearable.

He said the Mfantseman District Assembly has set aside 60 million cedis from its common fund to support the disabled in the district, he has therefore tasked the leadership of the Association to submit proposals to his office for assistance.

The DCE said needy applicant would be given a grant of between 1 million and three million cedis to establish their incoming-generating ventures and warned against frivolous spending.

Mr. Quainoo Arthur appealed to them to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them receive free medical care when they attend the hospital.

The Regional Minister, the Member of Parliament for the area, Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng and the DCE pledged a total of 10 million cedis to the fund.