Differently-Abled Persons in Ekumfi Cautioned Against Selling Their Start-Up Kits

Beneficiary PWDs with their start-up kits

In a ceremony held to disburse items to beneficiaries of the Persons With Disability (PWD) Fund in the Ekumfi District, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Ismaeel Nana Asamoah, issued a strong warning to beneficiaries to refrain from selling the start-up items distributed to them, urging them instead to make full use of the support to better their livelihoods.

The event, which took place on Friday, 17th October 2025, at the Ekumfi District Assembly’s Conference Room, saw Hon. Asamoah express appreciation to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and the Member of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Othniel Ekow Kwainoe, for fast-tracking the process to ensure the timely delivery of the items.

Hon. Ismaeel Nana Asamoah, DCE, Ekumfi District Assembly 

The DCE commended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its consistent commitment to supporting marginalised groups whenever it is in government. He further lauded President Mahama for increasing monetary allocations to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) as part of efforts to decentralise development and promote inclusive growth across the country.

Hon. Asamoah passionately appealed to beneficiaries to use the items to their utmost benefit and assured them that his office would undertake follow-up monitoring to ensure all items were being used for their intended purpose.

The items distributed included fufu pounding machines, chest freezers, and cash support ranging from GH¢1,000.00 to GH¢2,000.00.

Hon. Kow Kakra Nketsia-Richardson

The Presiding Member of the Ekumfi District Assembly, Hon. Kow Kakra Nketsia-Richardson, emphasised the importance of such interventions, noting that the support was aimed at helping PWDs establish or expand income-generating ventures to become self-reliant. He assured beneficiaries of transparency and fairness in future distributions as always done.

Mr. Benjamin Opoku Busia, Coordinating Director, Ekumfi District Assembly

The District Coordinating Director, Mr. Benjamin Opoku Busia, tasked the Social Welfare Department to compile a comprehensive album of all PWD beneficiaries to aid tracking, accountability, and effective planning for future interventions. He reiterated the government’s commitment to sustaining the fund and called on beneficiaries to use the support productively to ensure its continuity.

Mr. Charles Senyo Dotse

The Social Welfare Department, led by Mr. Charles Senyo Dotse and Mr. Roland Amandi, reinforced the DCE’s message, advising beneficiaries to safeguard the items and use the cash for meaningful ventures. 

Mr. Roland Amandi

Mr. Amandi revealed that the district has over 1,000 registered PWDs, making prudent use of the resources crucial to ensure equitable benefit for all. He further urged members to obtain their Ghana Cards, a requirement for claiming future support.

The Central Regional PRO and Ekumfi District Chairman for PWDs, Mr. Mohammed Issah Eshun, expressed gratitude to the President for the timely release of the funds. He commended the management committee for ensuring that the full amount allocated was received and distributed effectively. Mr. Eshun reiterated that “disability is not inability” and encouraged members to use the support responsibly to uplift their lives.

Beneficiaries, visibly elated, thanked the President, DCE, and MP for their swift intervention within less than a year of assuming office. They also appealed to colleagues who resort to street begging to desist from the act and instead join the district’s registered PWD group to benefit from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) PWD allocation.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie

Ekumfi MP Rewards Over 350 2025 BECE Best Performed Candidates

An aerial view of items donated 

The Member of Parliament for Ekumfi Constituency, Hon. Dr. Othniel Ekow Kwainoe, on Thursday, 9th October 2025, presented a range of educational items to over 350 students who have gained admission into various Senior High, Technical and Vocational Schools across the country.

The initiative, which forms part of his continuous commitment to promoting and rewarding academic excellence among young students in Ekumfi, was held at Essuehyia under the theme, “Empowering Tomorrow’s Champions.”

The event attracted key stakeholders, including Chiefs, Queens,  the District Director of Education and her officers, headteachers, teachers, parents, students, as well as members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and wife of the MP, Mrs. Dr. Eunice Nana Aba Egyirba Smart Kwainoe.

Hon. Dr. Ekow Kwainoe 

Hon. Dr. Kwainoe encouraged the awardees to remain diligent and studious in their academic pursuits to reach greater heights. He assured his constituents of sustained support and an even more improved package in the future. The MP also acknowledged his predecessor, Hon. Abeiku Crentsil, for instituting such a laudable initiative, and pledged to continue building on it.

Dr. Kwainoe expressed optimism that these young beneficiaries would one day take up leadership roles across various fields to contribute to the growth of Ekumfi and Ghana as a whole.

He further advocated for the enactment of by-laws or local content regulations to be championed by traditional authorities. Dr. Ekow Kwainoe called on the Paramount Chief of the Ekumfi Traditional Area to spearhead this initiative, ensuring all communities within Ekumfi adopt and enforce such regulations for collective development and discipline.

Presentation to Michael Ninson 

In recognition of exceptional performance, the Best Overall Candidate received a cash prize of GH¢1,000.00, a mobile phone worth GH¢2,000.00, as well as a mattress, chop box, exercise books, and assorted provisions including gari, sugar, milk powder, Milo, and mackerel.

The Overall Best Performed School also received a cash prize of GH¢1,000.00.

Best Performed Candidate (Public School): Master Michael Ninson of Narkwa Methodist Basic School with aggregate 10.

Best Performed Candidate (Private School): Master Benedict Forson of Obama College with aggregate 8.

Sarafina Ackom receiving her award 

Best Performed Female Candidate: Miss Sarafina Ackom of Adoagyir D/A Basic School with aggregate 15.

Best Performed Physically Challenged Candidate: Adoagyir D/A Basic School.

Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah, Director of Education 

The District Director of Education, Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah, congratulated the awardees, teachers and headteachers for their efforts, while promising the Honourable MP of improved academic performance in the coming years.

She also expressed concern over the issue of teenage pregnancy, revealing that three cases had already been recorded since the start of the 2025/2026 academic year. She appealed to traditional authorities to enforce community discipline and apply stricter sanctions to curb the menace.

Nana Kwaa Esaa Okofo Yaa I 

Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief, Odeefo Akyen VIII, the Guantoahen of the Ekumfi Traditional Council, Nana Kwaa Esaa Okofo Yaa I, commended the MP for his efforts and urged him to remain equitable in his dealings. He also called on party executives and constituents to continue supporting Hon. Kwainoe to ensure his retention.

Nana Kwaa Esaa I further urged parents to be responsible and instil discipline in their wards, discouraging immoral behaviours that could lead to teenage pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections. He also cautioned the youth against engaging in fraudulent activities that could land them in prison.

In his final remarks, he appealed to the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to actively involve chiefs and traditional rulers in efforts to curb illegal mining across the country.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie