Mankessim (C/R), Feb. 18, GNA - The Mfantseman District Assembly has set aside two per cent of its share of the District Assemblies' Common Fund, to build the capacity of the physically challenged and to provide them with working tools, inputs and start-up capital. Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, District Chief Executive, announced this at the inauguration of the Mfantseman District branch of the Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) at Mankessim.

Mr Quainoo-Arthur said financial support to people with disabilities had been treated as grant, did not attract interest and was also non-refundable. He cautioned the members against channelling applications for assistance through middle-men who could exploit the situation to cheat them.

"My doors are open at all times, you must come personally with your requests", the DCE stated. He said about a week ago, the Assembly supported a blind student who obtained aggregate 13 in the November-December edition of the West Africa School Certificate Examination with GH¢700 to pursue tertiary education.

Mr Quainoo-Arthur said the only condition for accessing the grant was for the District Social Welfare Officer to attest that the applicant was really a disabled and could use the grant profitably. Mr Yaw Ofori Debrah, National President of the Association said the Mfantseman branch was the 71st to be inaugurated in the country. He commended the government for directing the assemblies to set aside some percentage of the Fund to support the disabled but expressed regret that many of the district, municipal and metropolitan chief executives had complied. Mr Debrah appealed to the government to monitor the activities of the chief executives to ensure that they complied with the directives. He also appealed to members who needed support from the assemblies to channel their application through the Association. Mr Owiredu Gyamerah, District President, of the GAB, appealed to the DCE to provide the Association with an office at Saltpond to facilitate contact with the Assembly.