{
  "id": 12153254,
  "title": "KMA empowers 64 persons with disabilities; Mayor unveils plan for sustainable skills centre",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/kma-empowers-64-persons-with-disabilities-mayor-unveils-plan-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T12:55:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/kma-empowers-64-persons-with-disabilities-mayor-unveils-plan-for-sustainable-skills-centre/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has recently empowered 64 persons with disabilities through the distribution of livelihood support under the Disability Component of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). The initiative, carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, provided beneficiaries with various income-generating equipment and financial assistance based on their individual needs and business goals. Mayor Richard Kwasi Ofori Boadi Agyemang presented the items, urging the recipients to utilize the support to achieve financial independence and dignity, rather than selling the equipment.\n\nMayor Agyemang unveiled a broader vision for PWDs, proposing the establishment of a dedicated Skills Development and Empowerment Centre for persons with disabilities. He formally presented this plan to the Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD) and the Social Welfare Department as a strategy to ensure sustainable employment opportunities for PWDs in case of future delays in DACF disbursements. The proposed centre will offer demand-driven programs in ICT and vocational skills, such as leather work, fashion design, sewing, and tailoring. The Mayor pledged to link the centre to the Assembly's procurement system, enabling the federation of tailors to secure contracts for uniforms and other items, thereby generating income for the beneficiaries.\n\nThe Metropolitan Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Mrs. Esther Apraku Nyarko, shared that 186 PWDs have benefited from the Disability Common Fund between January 2025 and October 2026, with 65 persons supported in 2025 and 121 in the second quarter of 2026. She commended the government for the timely release of funds and the increase in allocation, which expanded the Assembly's capacity to reach more beneficiaries. The Kumasi Metro President of the Ghana Federation of Disability, Mr. Francis Asamoah Baffour, expressed gratitude to the KMA and government for their ongoing support and assured that the federation would monitor the proper use of the equipment and funds.",
  "summary": "In a major boost to inclusive development, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has disbursed livelihood support to 64 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under the Disability Component of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).",
  "key_points": [
    "64 persons with disabilities empowered by KMA through DACF.",
    "Mayor Richard Kwasi Ofori Boadi Agyemang unveils sustainable skills centre plan.",
    "Centre to offer ICT and vocational skills training for PWDs."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "KMA empowers 64 persons with disabilities, Mayor unveils plan for sustainable skills centre",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/kma-empowers-64-persons-with-disabilities-mayor-unveils-plan-for-12168272",
        "published": "2026-10-05T13:56:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}