The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has presented working tools and financial support valued at GH¢313,919.40 to eighty-eight (88) persons with special needs in the metropolis, reaffirming the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) commitment to inclusion and economic empowerment.
Out of the total, the cost of equipment distributed amounted to GH¢197,119.40, while GH¢116,800 was allocated as working capital support to beneficiaries comprising 50 males and 38 females.
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The items distributed included thirty-eight 200-liter Nasco deep freezers, one showcase refrigerator, three fufu blending machines, five industrial sewing machines, one industrial knitting machine at GH¢300, three gas popcorn machines with 6 kg gas cylinders and GH¢500 each, one 2000W high-pressure washer, one electric wheelchair, one pair of hearing aids, and one laptop.
In addition, 32 beneficiaries also received financial support of GH¢3,000 each, while one person received GH¢3,000 as educational support.
The beneficiaries included 46 physically challenged persons, 11 visually impaired persons, 10 hearing impaired persons, six persons with cerebral palsy, four with Down syndrome, two with epilepsy, two mentally challenged persons, two with multiple disabilities, three intellectually challenged persons, one person with autism, and one with a learning disability.
Addressing the gathering at the presentation held on Friday ahead of the Valentine’s Day celebration, the mayor said disability was not anyone’s choice and that all people were created equal, adding that physical or sensory challenges did not make anyone less human.
The mayor recounted a recent personal experience involving his bodyguard, Gideon Lamptey, popularly known as ‘Adodo,’ who is hearing and speech impaired, noting that engaging him has reinforced his belief that persons with disabilities only require understanding and the right support systems to perform effectively.
