The Ministry of Business Development on Thursday disbursed the Second tranche of Funds for Women Entrepreneurs With Disability in aid their support their businesses.

A total of 31,500 was released to be shared among 30 beneficiaries under the Presidential Empowerment for Women Entrepreneurs with Disability, an initiative to strategically reposition disabled women entrepreneurs to help improve their enterprises.

Cheques were given to the women,who have been selected from four sectors of the economy-Information Technology, food and beverage, trade and commerce, and fashion design.

Beneficiaries are expected to pay back only 50 percent of the amount received at a zero percent interest in 6 months time.

At a short ceremony held at the Ministry of Business Development, the minister,  Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal urged the women to "do very well" to earn more Governmental supports.

"What we are doing today is a continuation of the initiative to support disabled women entrepreneurs in their businesses," he said.

"President Akufo Addo believes and convinced that Ghana cannot develop and achieve the goals of the SDGs without including everybody, including disabled persons.

"Disabled persons constitute about 5% of the population and we can't achieve any meaningful national development without involving them, hence this program of financial empowerment to disabled women entrepreneurs."

According to the 2010 population census, 3% of the Ghana's total population live with some form of disability.

Calls have been on the country to depart from viewing persons with disabilities as objects of charity and rather see them as citizens with rights and  capabilities, who have to be supported by a vibrant network of services in their communities.

Two months ago President Akufo-Addo gave the first tranche to the first batch of beneficiaries, and according to Dr Ibrahim Awal , his ministry, which is the implementing agency of the programme, has monitored their progress and is satisfied with their performance.

He said all the beneficiaries  had been taken through "strategic training" in order to build their capacity to manage their Businesses well, adding that the Government aims at supporting one thousand women living with disability be the end of next year

He urged the women to work hard and try as much as possible to employ others in order to reduce unemployment in the country.

"I want to assure you on behalf of the president that we will continue to support you to grow," he said.
"Our vision is to support 1000 women by the close next year and we will expect each beneficiary to employ at least two persons.

"Those who will do very well within 6 months we will increase the money for them," he added.