Accra (Greater Accra) - Mrs. Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, on Monday launched a 300- million cedi appeal for the Ghana National Trust Fund and urged the public to donate generously to support the disabled and the needy to make life more meaningful for them. Mrs. Benyiwa-Doe reiterated government's commitment to improving the general welfare and material well-being of the ordinary Ghanaian by increasing employment

opportunities and average incomes and thereby reduce poverty levels as much as possible. These objectives, she said, is in tune with the welfare policies of the government, and in particular corresponds with the Vision 2020 document, the blueprint of the nation's long-term development goal.

Mrs. Benyiwa-Doe, said by contributing to the fund the public would, directly or indirectly, be helping to raise the standard of living of the disabled and the needy, improve their general welfare and reduce poverty levels.

She said the appeal has to be launched annually to remind all that the fund exists and is a recurrent exercise "to bring the smile back on the faces of our disabled and handicapped persons".

The GNTF was established in 1958 to mobilise funds to support organisations that are engaged in promoting the welfare of the disabled and the vulnerable.

Mrs. Benyiwa-Doe observed that these subventions have helped the organisations to rehabilitate several people, who otherwise would have been a burden on or a liability to society.

She appealed to generous-minded benefactors to make donations of items like electronic typewriters, computers, air conditioners and fax machines to equip the office of the GNTF. The Deputy Minister assured the Board of Trustees of the GNTF that the Ministry is considering its comments on the Trust Fund Bill, which seeks to provide a legal basis for its existence.

Last year, an amount of 81 million cedis was realised from the appeal out of which an expenditure of 57 million cedis was made on the beneficiary institutions. Dr. Alexander Ababio, Acting Chairman of Board of Trustees and the Member of Parliament for South Dayi chaired the function.