COVID-19 Impact On Business; PWDs Federation Appeal For Government’s Special Support Scheme

Persons with disability (PWDs) Federation in the Lower Manya Krobo municipality are calling on government for  a special  financial assistance to  re-invest  into  their  business  following  the adverse  effect  of  the coronavirus on their businesses, the president has said.

Reducing the impact of the COVID -19 on businesses, government has launched Coronavirus Alleviation Program (CAP) business support scheme intended to support small and medium scale enterprises(SMEs ) that have been badly affected by the novel coronavirus.  

The fund was intended to provide to SMEs across the country that were affected by the virus to revive businesses.

CAP, having developed an online portal to enable SMEs across the country to access the package, some of the PWDs questioned why the government has not considered to assist them differently during the process to access the said fund considering their ignorance for online activities.

But speaking to the Lower Manya Krobo PWDs Federation’s president during a meeting at the Municipal Assembly  Hall  on  Wednesday,  Mr. Padi Partey  has appealed  to  government to assist  the Federation, disclosing that they  could  not  have information  on  the  stimulus package earlier, hence, many  of his members could not apply for the said package.

That, according to Mr. Partey, the ban on movement and social gathering have impacted negatively on the  economic  activities  of  members of  his  Federation since  they  could  not  move  to  interact and  do business with the people.

“For the outbreak of the pandemic, we are not able to move to people to do our business because the work we do includes; herbal drugs sales, charcoal selling in the market etc.,” the president told Omanba Kwadwo Boafo in an interview, adding ‘’ we need a special fund to support ourselves as PWDs so we will still be in business and leave independent lives’’.

According to Mr. Partey, none of his members have contracted the coronavirus and has therefore assured that his outfit would quickly organized members to appeal for a special financial support.

Mr. John Teye who is visually impaired and resides at Kodjonya said if he could secure stimulus package, he would have given it to his wife to invest into her business. 

Even though, he was aware the Municipal Assembly as well as the government constant supply and distribution of COVID-19 materials including face mask, hand sanitizer, liquid soap, veronica buckets to the public, he did not receive any.

A retired farmer believed to be in her late 60s, Mami Afi said, she had wished to apply for the stimulus package but did not know where and how to apply for the fund.

 “I am a farmer but stopped and currently depending on my children for survival. I understand government is giving some money, but I was not told where to access it,” partially blind Mami Afi said.

On his part, Yaw Sabutey, a cobra and pure water seller has estimated his desires to acquire new shoe making machine if government could grant him some fund.

Mr. Yaw who is also bread winner of family of five including his uncle and aunt, said he was working to raising more money to renovate his late father’s house, hence he supported the call for a special fund for PWDs to enable them defeat the impacts of the virus on their business.

Meanwhile,  Penplusbyte  Information  for  All  Project  check has  indicated  that  a  total  of  300  and  130 PWDs  in  Upper  and  Lower Manya  Krobo respectively received  COVID -19  items including  food.  So far, the two Assemblies have registered close to 2000 PWDs.

Source: Omanba Kodwo Boafo/ritefmonline.org