The Nandom Municipal Assembly has disbursed a total amount of GH¢271,380 from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) to support 66 persons with disabilities (PwDs) and two disability associations as part of efforts to promote inclusion and improve the livelihoods of persons living with disabilities in the municipality.
The disbursement was made on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during a Disability Fund Investment Forum organised by the Assembly in Nandom.
According to the Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Naa Biliguo Shirazudeen Enoch, a total of GH¢271,380 was released to beneficiaries under the disability fund.
He explained that the Nandom branch of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf received GH¢13,340 to support its participation in a national conference scheduled for September 2026, while the Nandom Association of Persons with Disabilities was also given GH¢4,077 to organise its upcoming elections.
He noted that the remaining amount was disbursed directly to individual persons with disabilities to support their economic and social well-being.
Addressing beneficiaries ahead of the disbursement, the Nandom Municipal Chief Executive, Anthony Ziniel, described the forum as a demonstration of the Assembly’s commitment to promoting inclusion, equity and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
He said the Disability Fund is intended to improve livelihoods by promoting self-employment, supporting education and skills development, enhancing access to healthcare and reducing poverty among persons with disabilities.
“The forum is more than the distribution of financial support and livelihood items. It is a demonstration of our shared responsibility to ensure that persons with disabilities are empowered to participate fully in the social and economic development of our municipality.”
Ziniel assured beneficiaries that the Assembly remains committed to ensuring transparency, fairness and accountability in the management of the Disability Fund.
He explained that beneficiaries were selected through established guidelines, careful assessment of applications and recommendations by the Disability Fund Management Committee in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development and representatives of persons with disabilities.
The Municipal Chief Executive urged beneficiaries to invest the funds in the purposes for which they were allocated, stressing that prudent use of the support would improve their livelihoods and justify continued government investment in disability empowerment programmes.
He also encouraged beneficiaries to cooperate with Assembly officials during monitoring and evaluation exercises, noting that the visits are meant to provide technical support, assess progress and ensure the objectives of the programme are achieved.
Mr. Ziniel acknowledged that many persons with disabilities continue to face challenges in accessing education, employment, healthcare, transportation and other public services, and pledged the Assembly’s commitment to implementing policies that promote accessibility, protect the rights of persons with disabilities and create equal opportunities for all.
He further appealed to traditional authorities, community leaders, civil society organisations, religious institutions and the private sector to support advocacy, skills development, employment and social inclusion for persons with disabilities.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Nandom Municipal Assembly and the Government of Ghana for the support, describing the intervention as timely and saying it would help improve their livelihoods and strengthen their economic independence.
By Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara
