Prez presents GHc2million to 1,000 disabled male entrepreneurs
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has presented GH¢2 million to 1,000 disabled men entrepreneurs, under the Presidential Empowerment for Male Entrepreneurs with Disability (PEMED).
Launching the event at Jubilee House, on Friday, President Akufo-Addo stated that the funds would provide some relief, and also empower persons with disabilities to improve their economic circumstances.
“You, the beneficiaries, have already undergone training in areas such as financial management, business management, risks, marketing, and operations.
“It is expected that you will be guided by the structured training you have undergone, to enable you scale-up your businesses, and create job opportunities for people,” he said.
The president indicated that “50% of the financial support on offer today are grants, whilst the other 50% are interest free loans payable over two years.”
He further said that the Ministry of Business Development, through the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan, will continue to provide mentorship, training, and monitoring, to ensure the successful execution of the businesses of the 1,000 beneficiaries.
Recounting how the government, in 2019, provided similar funding to 1,000 disabled women entrepreneurs, President Akufo-Addo stated that within a year, 850 disabled women entrepreneurs received financial support and training to build-up their capacity, and enhance their competitiveness under the Presidential Empowerment for Women Entrepreneurs with Disability (PEWED).
The remaining 150 are due to be given support within the next two (2) months.
As a result of this intervention, the President told the gathering that through the PEWED initiative, “the beneficiary entrepreneurs have been able to expand their businesses, and have created about two hundred and eighty (280) direct and indirect job opportunities for Ghanaians.”
As co-Chair of the Group of Eminent Advocates for 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the President noted that the initiative to provide funding to disabled male and female entrepreneurs is in line with the sustainable development agenda, which relate to poverty reduction, quality education, inclusion, and equal opportunity amongst others.
“Government is committed to building an inclusive society in which every citizen has the opportunity to develop his or her God-given talent to the full, where the circumstances of one’s birth are not barriers to a citizen’s participation in the process of national development,” he added.