Exploring Accessibility to and Uses of the Disability Support Fund among Persons with Disability (PWDS) in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality.

Abstract

Persons with Disability (PWDs) are said to be the poorest in the global and Ghanaian economy. This issue is worrisome particularly when several of these persons are found among the poorest of the poor and may also suffer deprivations of lack of access to economic and social services in Ghana. The Disability Support Fund (DSF) was thus initiated as a social protection response to address poverty among PWDs and their households. The Disability Support Fund notwithstanding is faced with accessibility challenges. This study investigated the accessibility to and uses of the DSF among PWDs in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality using cross-sectional design with a mixed-method approach. The study employed a total sample of 150 PWDs with three key informants from the DSF Management Committee including the chairperson, finance secretary and the PWDs’ representative using a questionnaire and an interview guide respectively. The study revealed that the DSF has been useful in terms of contributing to the livelihoods of PWDs in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality. Beneficiaries were able to fund their education, food and healthcare with the help of the Fund. Though useful, a significant number (about 70%) of PWDs in the municipality did not have access to the Fund due to the insufficiency of the Fund. For this reason, the contribution of the Fund to the livelihoods of PWDs in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality appeared to be significantly marginal. There were delays in the disbursement of the Fund from the central government and the municipal office due to some stringent procedures required to follow before amounts are disbursed. The study recommends that the government provides enough funding at the MMDAs and for that matter the Department of Social Welfare to enable them disburse adequate funds to all qualified PWDs. Additionally, the support of NGOs, firms, and philanthropic individuals through financial and material support to the Fund could increase the Fund and also help improve the accessibility of the Fund by PWDs