GDFO MEMBERS ACCOUNT FOR USE OF DACF 31st MAY, 2018

A forum to account for the utilisation of funds disbursed to members of the Ghana Federation of Disable Organisations [GFDOs] under the District Assemblies’ Common Fund [DACF] has been in Bongo, capital of the Bongo District.
 

The forum which was organised by the GFDOs and hosted by the Bongo District Assembly brought together GFDO members from the two districts of Bongo and the Kassena-Nankana West in the Upper East Region to basically give testimonies of the benefits they had derived from the DACF. They also mounted exhibitions on businesses they were involved in and showcased products they have been producing including soaps, parazone, leather products and bags of cereals some had also cultivated.

The Programmes Manager of the national directorate of the GFD, Mr. Fredrick Ofosu in a presentation on the DACF revealed that, the Disability Fund was first introduced some 13 years ago under former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s government. He explained that, the Fund was designed to set aside a percentage of the Common Fund at periodic intervals to support initiatives and other self-reliant activities of Persons with Disabilities [PWDs]. He said the Fund had since supported and improved on the living standards of many PWDs in Ghana.

Mr. Ofosu disclosed that the GFD in 2009, commissioned a study into the effectiveness in the management and use of the Fund. That study he stated, culminated in the development of some guidelines and principles that were outdoored in 2010 to streamline the disbursement and management of the Common Fund for the benefit of persons with disability. He stated “the said guidelines helped us to define the purpose of the Fund including minimising poverty levels among PWDs particularly, those outside the formal employment sector”.

The Programmes Manager further stated that the guidelines also led to the opening of a separate account at each district assembly solely for purposes of administering the Disability Fund. Meanwhile, the formation of the Disability Fund Management Committee [DFMC] at each district also resulted from the study findings. The DFMC is mandated to receive and vet applications from prospective beneficiaries of the Fund and to make recommendations for various kinds of support as well as monitor the use of funds by beneficiaries.

Mr. Ofosu noted that Bongo District was by far doing so well in the organisation of GFD groups, disbursement of the Fund and that, the district was well positioned to mentor the Kassena-Nankana Chapter of the GFDOs. He observed that though the three percent Disability Fund allocation could not cater for the numerous needs of PWDs in the country, the Government deserved commendations for increasing it from the initial two percent. 

Bongo District Chief Executive [DCE], Mr. Peter Ayinbisa Ayamga in a statement at the forum emphasised that, the Fund was disbursed totally free of charge and was not bound by any repayment clauses. He however warned beneficiaries against unproductive and unprofitable application of the funds as that would go against their own welfare. 

Mr. Ayamga was optimistic that the forum would allow for the sharing of best practices among beneficiaries from the two districts and also learn from the experiences of their peers so as to derive maximum benefits from whatever amounts they receive from the Fund. 

The DCE noted that having been implemented for well over a decade, the Fund had undergone some reforms all geared at ensuring that the intended impact and purposes for the Fund would be the guiding principle for its disbursement and utilisation. He observed for instance that, the rise in the percentage allocation from two to three, will definitely trigger an increase in the beneficiary numbers nationwide. 

He said all things being equal, the recipients of the funds, should have their economic and living conditions improved in the coming months and years. He recalled that just last week, the Assembly disbursed over 54,000.00 Ghana Cedis to some beneficiaries and that the Assembly had resolved that henceforth, beneficiaries would be receiving cheques and expected to cash the money themselves to do their purchases. This he said is to enhance integrity in the system and as well, introduce beneficiaries to the formal banking system.

According to the DCE, the GFDO membership would have to bear with the Assembly regarding delays in disbursing the funds explaining that, lots of paper work and other procedures ought to be followed before the funds eventually hit the Assembly’s accounts. He disclosed that it was just in March 2018, that the Assembly received the monies covering a number of quarters from 2016 to 2017.

A beneficiary from the Kassena-Nankana West District, Madam Mary Awuntungui revealed that she used her portion of the fund to start a soap and parazone production business. She subsequently engaged four apprentices to increase her output as well as pass on her knowledge to them. She noted that being in some form of business, she had earned respect from family and community members and also able to fend for her children. She stated with joy that “family meetings are no longer held without me”.