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(Akumadan) – The Australian High Commission in Ghana has empowered over 100 Persons Living With Disabilities(PLWDs) in the Offinso North district of the Ashanti region, with employable skills.
Mr Gregory Andrews, the High Commissioner, who made the disclosure on Tuesday when handing over a soap production factory to PLWDs in Akumadan, said Australia was happy to support the project.
The factory, worth GHS 279,000,was funded by the High Commission through the Australian Direct Aid programme and have storerooms, production hall, washrooms and mechanised water system to enhance the dignity of PLWDs in the area.
Mr Andrews noted that the project provided for the wholesale production of soap to serve the needs of residents of Offinso north district, thereby supporting over 100 PLWDs to earn their livelihood.
” I am excited about the project for its role to ensuring adequate supply of soap in Akumadan and its environs to help the people practice hand washing ,which is necessary in minimising the spread of COVID -19″ he indicated.
The High Commissioner said the beneficiaries would get income from the sale of the project and improve their self – esteem for socio – economic development. He advised residents to put up good hygiene practices to prevent non communicable diseases.
Mr Andrews thanked the Offinso north district assembly for supplying equipments and materials to the factory, Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD) and the Center of Posterity Interest Organisation (COPIO) for facilitating the smooth operation of the project.
Mrs Victoria Achiaa Adjei, the Offinso north District Co – ordinating Director (DCD), said over 100 members have received training in the production of soap saying that ” the product is already in the market “.
The DCD appealed to members of the federation to uphold routine maintenance of the building and facilities in order to last longer adding that ” I am happy the product is making impact in the local economy “.
Mr Mustapha M Yeboah, the Project Coordinator of COPIO, noted that the project was the vision of GFD in the district but lacked financial ability to prosecute it. He was grateful to the High Commission for releasing grant.
The Nifahene of Akumadan traditional council, Nana Kofi Nyamaa, expressed appreciation to the Australia Direct Aid programme for the funding of such a landmark project, and other key stakeholders of the factory.
He implored the leaders of the GFD to be transparent and accountable in the project finances in order to attract other tourists and investors to the Offinso north district.
