Government gives GHC200,000 to female entrepreneurs with disability

The Ministry of Business Development yesterday presented an amount of GHC200,000 to female entrepreneurs living with disability to expand their businesses.

This is under the presidential empowerment for disability.

Yesterday’s presentation forms part of the GH?2 million fund earmarked for women entrepreneurs with disability by the government.

The women were drawn from areas such as trade and commerce, garment, fashion and beauty, as well as food and beverage.

In all, 150 female entrepreneurs living with disability benefitted nationwide.

About 50 per cent of the amount is a grant, and the rest is to be paid in six months without interest.

The presentation, done yesterday at the forecourt of the ministry in Accra, forms part of President Nana Akufo-Addo's support to Ghanaian women with disability.

It is to help the women expand their businesses and also employ others. The women had received training to build their capacities to effectively manage their businesses prior to receiving the funds.

The money was the second tranche of funds disbursed to women entrepreneurs with disability following the first tranche disbursed two months ago by the President.

Speaking at the ceremony to present the money, Minister of Business Development, Dr Mohammed Awal said President Akufo-Addo believes Ghana cannot develop without bringing everyone, including disabled persons, on board.

“President Akufo-Addo believes, and is convinced that, Ghana cannot develop and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without supporting and bringing everyone on board, including the disable.”

Ghana, he also indicated, cannot achieve any meaningful national development without involving disable persons, given that they constitute about five per cent of the country’s population.

Dr Awal encouraged the beneficiaries to not only focus on expanding their businesses, but also employ at least one person.

He stated emphatically that the intervention is to support women's growth.

According to him, there were plans to support about 1,000 women financially to grow their businesses by the end of 2020.

Additionally, he hinted that an initiative to financially support 500 men with disability will be launched early next year, all in a bid to ensure inclusiveness.

He admitted that the progress of the beneficiaries of the first tranche was monitored, and they are doing very well. This, according to him, affirms the narrative which implies that “disability is not inability”.

Dr Awal urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of government's Free SHS policy and take their children to school.

Madam Faustina Afaribea, a beneficiary, thanked the government for the support.

She promised to work hard with the funds received in order to attract a bigger amount in future.