SPRAYER Report on Application and Disbursement of 3% DACF in Wassa East District sar GROUPCONTENTS, : List of Tables. wR List of Figures Abstract 4 Introduction. Research Methodology Notes. 5.1 Research objective ales 5.2 Methodology 6 Analysis and discussions. 6.1 Demographics 6.2 Perception of PWDs and Stakeholders on Application Process. 6.3 Biases and Discrimination in Processing Applications 6.4 Improvement with processes 6.5 Delays in disbursement 6.6 Responsiveness, Accountability and Sustenance of gains . nj 3% DACF for PWDs in Wassa East 7.1 Report by DFEMC 7.2 Fund released to the Assembly 7.3 Pre-monitoring visits 7.4 Approved Beneficiary List, Disbursement and expenses... 8 Recommendations and conclusions ......... 223List of Tables 1 Table 1.1 PWD and Parent/Guardian representation .............. alltel Table 1.2 Gender and Age Distribution of Respondents 5 Table 1.3 Disability and Occupation/Educational Status of Respondents Table 1.4 Application process is strenuous Table 1.5 Received timely information on progress of application .. Table 1.6 Satisfied with feedback on application Table 1.7 Selectivity/discrimination in processing application Table 1.8 Department has sufficiently attended to my application . sccsecl| Table 1.9 Significant improvement in application process ...... eee Table 2.0 It’s has taken too long to satisfy my request . A Table 2.1 Ihave resolve the need but still require support .........cs..cessceseessseeee 12 Table 2.2 Delays in disbursement is frustrating 13 Table 2.3 Department has been very responsive to concerns of PWDs ..... 13 Table 2.4 Fund transfer as at June 2017 ........0.ccccsseeeseeeeseeseeteeeetseetesseeeeeeed 8 Table 2.5 Disability- Sex of beneficiaries ... Table 2.6 Items procured for beneficiaries and cash disbursement .... Table 2.7 Breakdown of spend from 3%DACF for PWDs .......... ieee—mh\ List of Figures 1 Figure 1.0 Expects duty bearers to furnish PWDs with information on application, disbursement etc of fund Figure 1.2 Communicate information (of the Fund) to all PWDs and Persons in the District Figure 1.3 Expect Duty bearers to sustain and improve upon gains with the project . Figure 1.4 Cost Estimates on items requested by beneficiaries . Figure 1.5 DACF transfer, Disbursement and other expenses as at June 2018 . Figure 1.6 Reconciliation statement 14 15 7 21 22a Abstract Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Itis therefore not limited to a health problem. It is a complex phenomenon, reflecting the interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives. Overcoming the difficulties faced by people with disabilities requires interventions to remove environmental and social barriers. For which reason the Government of Ghana provides through the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) Act 455 (Section 2) an allocation of the country’s revenue for local development of the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies. Recognising the extent of marginalization and poverty that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) face in their livelihood, an allocation formally 2% but recently increased to 3% of the DACF is made to support them economically and enhance their social image. The Wassa East District Assembly has since 2012 to 2017 provided support for a total of 663 PWDs in various capacities. However beneficiaries are selected on multiple times creating little space for new applicants and beneficiaries. A Skyy Media Group- STAR Ghana Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion Project, increased awareness on 3% DACF for PWDs. Expectations were heightened as PWD registration enabled over 1,260 to automatically apply for support from the DACF. PWDs were also encouraged to submit written applications to update request made to the District’s Department of Social Welfare for consideration. In spite of the ease and opportunity created to get an equal probability for all PWDs to benefit from the fund, 32.58% of respondents were of the view the application is strenuous. Additionally, 58.21% mentioned the department failed in providing timely feedback on the progress of their applications. A major concern PWDs and Caregivers had was the delay in receiving their stipend or support. A percentage of 57.21 indicated it takes so long a time to receive their disbursement. Despite these shortfalls project beneficiaries expect duty bearers to sustain and improve upon gains chalked with the project. It is recommended duty bearers work at addressing communication and feedback lapses along the application and disbursement process to deepen trust with beneficiaries and accountability.—h\ Official documents retrieved from the district assembly revealed that out of the GH¢ 157,079.10 transferred into the Disability Fund (between 2™ quarter of 2016 to last quarter of 2017), a sum of GH¢ 13 taken to disburse the remainder and possibly additional transfers to other beneficiaries in due time. ,433.25 was disbursed to 239 beneficiaries in June, 2018. Some provisions are being In respect of the overall project outcome of “attaining at least 10% of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Wassa East accessing the Disability Fund, an 18.97% access was recorded per number of beneficiaries to the total registered PWDs, at the end of the project. In terms of percentage difference of the averages of beneficiaries since 2012; given the 2012-2017 aver: number of beneficiaries of 111, the 2018s 239, represent a 115.32% increase. This is an unprecedented achievement since the creation of the district in 2012. Itis recommended given the scanty resources and delays, that the district explore alternative funds or support to address the needs of PWDs. However this could be given considerable credit if PWDs and stakeholders buy into and collaborate with the course.Introduction Before Skyy Media Group’s intervention at improving access and equity for beneficiaries, as well as ensuring transparent and accountable management of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), only 663 PWDs were recorded to have benefited from the fund since 2012. PWDs scarcely submit applications to the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) for support. The DSW and the Disability Fund Management Committee per their discretion disburse funds on two main routes; a) based on the number of applications received over the period, or b) on a personal (subjective) identification of PWDs by assembly members in the district Between 2012 and June 2017, a total of 103 applications were received. All applicants were considered for support from the Disability Common Fund (DCF). The situation this time has changed. An overwhelming number of 1,260 as at November 2017 were registered, through Skyy Media Group’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Project, dubbed “Making a difference with the 3% District Assembly Common Fund for Persons with Disabilities in Wassa East”, which is being supported by STAR Ghana with funding from DANIDA, UKaid and the European Union. The project ultimately, seeks to increase access to the DCF by 10%, in 2018. Access in this circumstance could be interpreted on three main levels; a) Awareness of the DCF, b) applying for support, and c) receiving disbursement or support from the DCF, Having made the populace aware of the fund, the next course of action was to create opportunities for potential beneficiaries to apply. PWDs, as specified in the NDPC guidelines 2010, were made to submit applications for support. The database management system we adopted during the registration captured the various categories of need among disability type in the district. It provides an opportunity for the state actor to select additional beneficiaries based on the directives issued by the Administrator of Common Fund, Ghana. Proper accountability and transparent measures could be attained if the DSW, documents and report on the exact number of applications received over the period. The information should equally provide for applicants along gender, age and support system rendered. It should adequately ensure that there is equity in the disbursement of the fund, possibly for non-beneficiaries/first time applicants.— A\ Research object The study provides useful data on PWDs and Caregivers’ perceived satisfaction or otherwise on processes involved in applying to the DACF for PWDs in Wassa East. Responses would guide investigations in determining change(s) made so far, and as well influence policy decisions and implementation of strategies within the project. It also provides an account of fund transfers, disbursement and other usage of the PWD fund over the period. Considering the fact that the PWD Fund was in arrears for over 2 years, this report concentrated on activities or spend in 2018 (thus when the Administrator of Common Funds release funds owed MMDCEs since 2016 and 2017). lethodology ‘The study examines PWDs and Caregivers’ perception on the application process for support from the District Assembly Common Fund for Persons With Disabilities since the inception of the project, and as well fund receipts and disbarments to beneficiaries. It employs a descriptive research design in determining levels of appreciation or otherwise with the application process with regards to the DACF for PWDs. Population and Sample Size: Working with a registered number of PWDs in the district of 1,260 as the population size, the sample was chosen with simple stratification and by convenience. The stratum was developed along their representation within each area council (for this matter Ateiku, Ekutuase, Enyinabrem, and Daboase Area Councils). On average 100 respondents were conveniently sampled from each area council. A sample size of 410, was chosen for the study. A closed ended questionnaire with twenty items, was adi istered within the four Area Councils to solicit responses to the study. Analysis and discuss Data analytical tool, SPSS was used in the analysis of the data collected. Data was obtained from a total of 402 respondents in the district, and assembly records. Descriptive statistics was used to interpret data collected during the study.ah Demographics: Out of the 402 respondents engaged for the survey 79.4% of them were with a disability, the remaining 20.6% were parents/guardians to Persons with Disabilities, The survey acknowledged that some PWDs (children, mentally ill, and hearing/articulatory impaired) could hardly help data collectors with responses to the questionnaire, Table 1.1 provides further details Table 1.1 PWD and Parent/Guardian representation Respondents Frequency Percent Person with Disability 319 79.4 Parent/Guardian 83, 20.6 Total 402 100.0 From table 1.2, a total of 202 and 200 of the respondents were males and females respectively. This reflects an almost “gender responsive and balanced” approach to the survey (50.25% males and 49.75% females). In terms of age; 11-18yrs, 31-40yrs, and 51-60yrs both genders had a fair/equal representation of respondents- 19, 43 and 25 respectively. A majority of the respondents, 86, were within ages 31 and 40 years, whiles 71 respondents were of ages 60 and above. A total of 56, 54 and 50 were within ages 21 to 31, 41 to 50, and 51 to 60 respectively. In cumulative terms, 13. 68% of the respondents’ population were 18 years and below, 42.79% were within ages 19 and 40, and 25.87% were within ages 41 and 60. Table 1.2. Gender and Age Distribution of Respondents AGE Total 0-10 11-18 19-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-6060 plus Male 8 19 ul 33 4B 29 34 202 Female 9. 19 19 23 4B 25 25 37 200 Total 17 38 30 56 86 54 50 nm 402— A\ Table 1.3 below, provides the diverse representation of respondents in terms of their disability type and or occupational status. The data analysed revealed that 35.07% of respondents were with physical impairment/disability, and 27.11% having visual disability. Respondents who have or whose relatives have epilepsy represented 15.67% of the respondent population With regards to occupation or status of the respondents the unemployed represented 65.67% (thus 264), whereas, farmers represented 18.66% (75 respondents) of the responded population. A total of 5.97% (24) of the respondent population were students Table 1.3 Disability and Occupational/Educational Status of Respondents Occupation bility type Student Farmer Trader Artisan Unemployed Formal Others Total Physical 8 28 Toit: 80 3 6 141 Visual 6 9 1 0 92 0 1 109 Epilepsy 2 23 1 0 37 0 0 63 Autism & syndrome 2 0 0 0 24 0 0 26 Hearing & Articulatory 5 9 3 4 ul 0 2 34 Learning 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 5 Multiple 1 6 0 0 16 0 1 24 Total 24 5 18 8 264 3 10402 PWDs and stakeholders’ Perception on Application Process: Thirteen (13) items were used to assess respondents’ perception on the application process, as changes effected with Skyy Media- STAR Ghana’s GESI Project. It also provided data on beneficiaries’ anticipation of when funds would be disbursed. A) Nature of application and feedback With reference to table 1.4, respondents who admitted that application process is strenuous constitute 32.58% of the sample population. Others who disagree that the application process is strenuous was 33.58% representing 135 of the respondent whiles 33.83% have an indifferent response to the statement,a A\ In respect of the various disability groups, persons with physical disability or whose relative has a physical disability were of the view that the application process was not strenuous were 51 (36.17%) out of a total of 141. Those of the multiple impairment group who think the application process is strenuous constitute 45.83% of their representational size of 24. Persons with hearing and or articulatory impairment who neither agreed nor disagreed that the application process was strenuous constituted 44.12% of their representation size of 34. Table 1.4 Application Process is strenuous Response Disal Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree 43 39 19 8 8 3 M131 Indifferent 47 37 23 10 15 oO 4 136 Disagree 51 33 21 8 ul 2 9 135 Total 141 109 63 26 34 5 24 402 In table 1.5 below, respondents who disagreed that timely information on progress of their application was communicated to them was 58.21% of the sample size. Those who neither agreed nor disagreed were 37.81% (152) of the sample size, whiles 3.98% agreed that some timely information on the progress of their application was sent them. Persons with multiple impairment who disagreed to the receipt of timely information on progress of their application were 83.3% of the sample size. All Persons with learning impairment or whose relatives have a learning disability we engaged for the study disagreed that some timely information on the progress of their application was received.— A\ Table 1.5 Received timely information on progress of application Response Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree 5 6 3 1 1 0 0 16 Indifferent 54 43 25 mn 15 0 4 152 Disagree 82 60 35 14 18 5 20 (234 pot 1411093. 26 34 5 24-402 Satisfaction with feedback on applications forwarded by the PWDs was a key assessable element to the intervention made by Skyy Media Group. Just as a majority of the respondents were unable to receive timely information on progress of their application it appear more than half, thus 58.46% of the sample size were dissatisfied with feedback on the application process as compared to a 5.22% of respondents who admitted they were satisfied with feedback given them on their applications. Here again persons with or whose relatives have learning disability/impairment (100%) disagreed they were satisfied with feedback on their applications forwarded to duty bearer. Those of the Multiple disability category who were dissatisfied with the feedback on the application process constitute 87.5% of their representation (24) in the sample size. Of the 36.32% (146) of the respondents who neither agreed nor disagreed they were satisfied with the feedback on the application, 37.67% were with physical disability whiles 9.45% were with visual disability. Refer to table 1.6 (Satisfaction with feedback on application) belowa A\ Table 1.6 Satisfied with feedback on application Response Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree 4 4 1 1 1 0 0 21 Indifferent 5 38 25 ul 4 0 3 146 Disagree 82 57 37 14 19 5 21 235 Total 141 109 63 26 34 5 24-402 B) Biases and Discrimination in processing applications The data analysed revealed that 44.28% of the respondents disagreed that there were some selectivity or discrimination in processing their applications. Out of the sample size taken for the study, 30.59% neither agreed nor disagreed that the processing of their applications was selective or discriminatory, and 25.12% think the process was selective Table 1.7 below indicates that only 19.15% of respondents in the Physical Disability group (141) think the processing of applications is done on selective basis whereas 48.23% disagree. In the visual impairment category, 37.61% of their representational size (109), disagreed the processing of their applications was discriminatory. Table 1.7 Selectivity/discrimination in processing application Response Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree 27 39 15 6 4 4 6 101 Indifferent 4g 29 2 ul 1B 0 2 123, Disagree 68 41 26 9 17 1 16178 Total 14110963 26 34 5 24-402 EPEh\ EE— A\ C) Improvement with process Table 1.8 reveals that 228 respondents representing 56.72% say the department of social welfare of the district failed to sufficiently attend to their applications for support, only 20 representing 4.98% think otherwise. Surprisingly, 154 (38.31%) were indecisive. In terms of the various disability groupings, whiles 8 respondents agreed that the department has attended sufficiently to their applications, 79 disagreed. Sixty (60) respondents of the visually impaired category also disagreed sufficient attention was given to their application by the department. Table 1.8 Department has sufficiently attended to my application Response Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree 8 8 2 ° 2 ° ° 20 Indifferent 54 a 26 2 18 2 4 154 Disagree 79 60 35 14 7 3 20 8 re 141 109 63 26 4 5 2 402 ‘Asa matter of assessing the impact that Skyy Media Group has effected in the application process in respect of the DACF for PWDs in the Wassa East District, respondents were made to determine whether or not there has been significant improvement in the application process. Unfortunately, a majority (50.49% representing 203) of our respondents have an indifferent opinion of it. It appeared 160 (39.80%) of respondents disagreed, 39 (9.70%) think otherwise. Persons with Physical Disability who neither agreed nor disagreed that there has been significant improvement in the application process constitute 37.44%, whereas those with visual disability and epilepsy represented 27.09% and 15.76% respectively. Table 1.9 below provides a breakdown of the responses.ah Table 1.9 Significant improvement in application process Response Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree " 10 9 1 5 1 2 39 raicrent 76 55 32, 13 18 0 9 203 Disagree 54 44 22 12 4 4 13, 160 oe 141 109 63 26 34 5 24 402 D) Delays in disbursement PWDs, Caregivers and other relevant stakeholders were highly expectant of experiencing some speedy processing of applications followed by disbursement. Months after the registration, beneficiaries begun exhibiting signs of frustration and disappointment given the delays with which the disbursement has taken. The study as indicated in table 2.0 revealed that a majority of respondents (230 representing 57.21%) were of the opinion that it’s taken too long satisfying their request. A total of 124 respondents (30.85%) indicated they neither agreed nor disagreed to it. However, 48 (11.94%) of the sample size say there disagree that it has taken long a time for district to satisfy their request. All persons within the learning disability category (5), think there has been delays in satisfying their requests. Seventy four (74) respondents each of the visually impaired and epilepsy category also admitted there has been some delays in satisfy their request. Table 2.0 below, has details. Table 2.0 It’s has taken too long to satisfy my request, Response Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree ™m 74 32 " 7 5 17 230 Indifferent 48 27 23 1 12 0 3 124 Disagree 19, 8 8 4 5 0 4 48 a 141 109 63 26 34 5 24 402 | 14 | Vy |—A\ Despite the delays in satisfying the needs/request of PWDs only 10.44% (42) of the respondents have in one way or the other addressed the need they sought support but require more. However, 44.03% (117) respondents of the sample size, indicated they haven’t been able to address the need with which they requested support. Surprisingly, a majority of the respondents, thus 45.52% were indecisive. In terms of their representation to their respective groupings, persons with or whose relatives have autism, and hearing and or articulatory impairment but where indecisive constituted 65.38% and 50% respectively. Table 2.1 below, provides a descriptive analysis of the subject. Table 2.1 Ihave resolve the need but still require support Response Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree 19 8 9 1 4 oO 1 42 Indifferent, a 22 "7 7 1 8 183 ee ge 8 3 4 “im Total 144 109 63 26 34 5 24 402 More often disbursement of PWD fund delays. This is because the disbursement is dependent on the release of the fund by the administrator of common fund and or the deliberations by the respective committees (Social Services and Fund Management Committees) in the district. Table 2.2 provides an empirical data of PWDs (and Caregivers) perception of the delays. An overwhelming number of respondents; 88.06% say the delay is frustrating. Only 2.74% of the respondents disagreed. In terms of their representation in their distinct groupings/disabilities, All Persons with or whose relatives have learning disability (100%) agreed that the delay in disbursing the funds is frustrating. For those in the multiple impairment group, 95.83% agreed whereas 92. 91% of the Physical disability share the same perspective. A total of 95 respondents, representing 87.16%, of the visually impaired group admitted the delay is frustrating, EEa A\ Table 2.2 Delays in disbursement is frustrating Response Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree 131 95 55 16 29 5 23 354 Larrea 8 4 6 6 5 0 4 37 Disagree 2 3 2 4 0 0 0 ct Total 141 109 63 26 34 5 24 402 E) Responsiveness, Accountability and sustenance of gains This section assesses respondents’ perceptions and expectations regarding responsive and accountable management of the fund, as well as the need to sustain gains chalked with the project. With respect to their perception of duty bearer’s (Department of Social Welfare) responsiveness to concerns raised, 88.06% confirmed/agreed the department have been upbeat with the concerns of the PWDs. Only 2.74% (11) of the respondents indicated the department has not been very responsive to concerns of PWDs. Table 2.3 below, has details. Table 2.3 Department has been very responsive to concerns of PWDs Resp Disability Physical Visual Epilepsy Autism/syndromes Hearing & Learning Multiple Total Articulatory Agree 134 95, 55. 16 29 5 23 354 Indifferent 8 4 6 6 5 0 1 37 Disagree 2 3 2 4 0 0 0 4 Total 141 109 63 26 34 5 24 402Almost all the respondents expect duty bearers to furnish PWDs with information on application, disbursement and other matters of the DACF for PWDs. Figure 1.0 below reveals that 99.75% of the respondents are expectant of the duty bearer in providing information about the fund. All respondents in the various disability categories except one from the Physical Disability group share the idea of being furnished with this information. Figure 1.0 Expects duty bearers to furnish PWDs with information on application, disbursement ete of fund Responses 160 140 : 2° e MAgree mDisagree Beyond the expectations respondents have of the duty bearer to fumish PWDs with information on application, disbursement and other aspects of the Fund, all of them indicated the duty bearer must communicate these information to all PWDs and persons within the district. It implies that such communications needs not be limited to the beneficiaries only but to all meaning Ghanaians and or interested stakeholders. Refer to figure 1.2 below for details. Se 7 |ah Figure 1.2 Communicate information (of the Fund) to all PWDs and Persons in the District Responses 160 141 140 80 108 100 80 60 40 20 ° > > & oo s ; m Agree As much as it is expected of Skyy Media to work at sustaining gains with the project, respondents share that duty bearer work at sustaining and improving upon gains made with the project. See figure 1.3 for a breakdown of the responses as per the disability groupings. Figure 1.3 Expect Duty bearers to sustain and improve upon gains with the project Responses 160 aaa 440 109 :3% DACF for PWDs in Wassa East: A cumulative amount of GH¢ 157,079.10 was received as the District’s share of the 3% Common Fund for PWDs for the 2", 3“ and 4" quarters of 2016, and first, second, third and last quarters of 2017. This amount was accompanied by some directives from the Administrator of Common Funds, as to how they should be expended. These included: i. Equip over 50 PWDs in economic and business ventures ii, Provide PWDs with working tools and equipment such as sewing machines, com mill machines, barbering tools, welding tools, carpentry tools, shoe makers’ kit, hair dryers, spraying machines, grass cutter tools, polytanks etc. iii, 10% to be used for school fees and trainings, and iv. 10% to be used for medicals and assistive devices A) Report by DFMC A report by the District Fund Management Committee (DFMC) titled “Verification and Need Assessment of Persons with Disability to benefit from Disability Fund” and dated May, 2018, revealed that twenty (20) different but specific request were made by PWDs for support. Initial consideration was to support 214 beneficiaries with their requisitions. The request ranging from cash for farming or petty trade, refrigerators, spraying machines, educational support (fees), cassava processing machines, local P.A systems etc was estimated to cost the district a sum of One hundred and twenty-four thousand, nine hundred and seventy-five Ghana Cedis (GH 124, 975.00), Below is an extract of the report.Ma Figure 1.4: Cost Estimates on items requested by beneficiaries No. | Items Needed Summary | Estimated | Total Cost of Request | Unit Cost [1 | Cash for Petty Trading 121 500.00 | 60,500.00 2__| Cash for Farming 30 500.00 | 15,000.00 3__| Fridge (including Deep Freezer) $|__ 1,300.00 | 10,400.00 4 _| Spraying Machine 2| 1,500.00] 3,000.00 5__| Medical Assistance 2 500.00 | 1,000.00 [6 _| Educational Support 7 780.00 | 5,500.00 7__| Animal Rearing 3 600.00 | 1,800.00 | 8__| Wheel Chair 4 700.00 | 2,800.00 9 | Barbering Tools 1 700.00 700.00 10 | Sewing Machine 8 500.00] 4,000.00 11_| Hair Dryer 1 500.00 500.00 [12 | Cassava Processing Machine 5 900.00 4,500.00 13 _| Grinding Machine 1 600.00 600.00 | 14 _| Fertilizer and Agro — Chemicals 14 600.00 | 8,400.00 15 | Financial Support for 2 500.00 | 1,000.00 Apprenticeship 16 _| Oil Palm Extractor and Iron pot 1 750.00 750.00 17_| Over-lock Machine 1] 1,500.00 | 1,500.00 18 _| Plastic Chairs for Hiring 1 625.00 625.00 19. | Local P.A System 1{ 1,200.00] 1,200.00 20. [Local Oven and filled cylinder 1| 1,200.00 | 1,200.00 Total 214 | 15,955.00 | 124,975.00 Source: WEDA/DFMC/Report on Verification and Need Assessment of PWDs, May 2018 This report was submitted to the Coordinating Director and District Chief Executive for approval. Three main recommendations were made by the team; The assembly should train and support PWDs to become self-employed. Such training should be extended to caregivers so as to enable them take proper care and responsibility of PWDs to support them in any economic venture. Monies should not be given to associations and individuals but rather procure items A need for periodic monitoring of PWDs who have benefited from the fund. EomB) Fund released to the Assembly A total of GH¢ 157,079.10 was transferred in to the PWD fund between 2016 and 2017 (comprising of 2", 3“, 4" quarters of 2016, and the four quarters of 2017). A bank reconciliation was made by the District Fund Management Committee (DFMC) to confirm the payment/release from the Administrator of Common Funds. Table 2.4: Fund Transfers as at June 2017 Year Quarter Amount (GH¢ ) 2016 274 & 3" 68,890.38 4e 23,546.81 2017 124 & 34 26,028.71 4m 38,613.20 Total 157,079.1 C) Pre-monitoring visits: The PWD database created by Skyy Media Group for the Assembly, contains a total of 1,246 (as at May 2018). The system was developed in a manner to capture certain vital information to guide disbursement and tracking of beneficiaries to verify receipt of support given them, Informed by the findings on the application process, the DFMC embarked on a pre-monitoring visit in all four area councils to; i. Review need assessments/request by potential beneficiaries ii. _ Explain the factors that accounted for the delays in disbursing the fund iii, Clarify criteria for selecting beneficiaries, iv. Considerations for future disbursement A total amount of Two thousand and ninety-eight Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 2,098.00) was spent by the DFMC on this exercise.D) Approved Beneficiary List and Disbursement After some deliberations and with some appeal by Skyy Media Group to expand their support base, or possibly the number of beneficiaries, the total number of PWDs in the district that were considered was two hundred and thirty-nine (239). Out of the GH¢ 157,079. 10 received in respect of 2" 3, 4" quarters of 2016, and the four quarters of 2017, GH¢ 130,433.25 was disbursed to beneficiaries. Refer to table 2.4 for details. Fifteen types/categories of machinery and or devices amounting to GH¢ 49,416.25 were given to 49 beneficiaries- 8 of which received an additional cash amount of GH€ 100.00 as seed capital for their business (Refer to table 2.5 for details). Two PWDs received cash for medical treatment amounting to GH¢ 1,000.00, and educational support (GH¢ 6,817.00 for eight beneficiaries). One hundred and eighty -one (181) others received cash as start-ups, totaling GH¢ 72,400.00. Table 2.6 has details. Sex and Disability distribution of beneficiaries In terms of sexual representation of the beneficiaries, 140 were males and 99 females. Among six identifiable disability groupings, persons with physical disability were 112, and those with visual impairment were 72 in total. Persons with hearing and or articulatory disability, and intellectual disability were 3 and 7 in total respectively. Table 2.5 provides a detail representation of the disability groupings and sex Table 2.5 Disability Sex of Beneficiaries Type of Disability Sex Total Male Female Epileptic u 18 29 Physical 63 49 112 Hearing/ and Articulator 1 2 3 Visual 34 18 72 Multiple Impairment 9 1 16 Intellectual 2 5 7 Total 140 99 239 Source: Department of Social Welfare/WEDA mahTable 2.6: Items procured for beneficiaries, and cash disbursement Description Unit/Quantity Amount (GH¢) 1. Deep Freezers 8 49.416.25 2._ Spraying machine 2 3. Wheel Chair 4 4. Set of barbering tools 1 5. Butterfly sewing machine 7 6. Electric Sewing Machine 1 7. Hair Dryer 1 8. Cassava Processing Machine 5 9. Shoe Grinding Machine 1 10. 3 bags of fertilizer and Agro-chemicals 14 11. Oil palm extractor and iron pot 1 12. Over-lock machine 1 13. 25 Plastic Chairs for hiring 1 14. Local P.A System 1 15. Local Oven and Gas Cylinder 1 Startup amount (plus items) *8 800.00 Subtotal 49 50,216.25 16. Medical treatment 2 1,000.00 17. Educational support 8 6,817.00 18. Cash receipts 181 72,400.00 Total 239 130,433.25 *the eight (8) others received GH¢ 100.00 each plus items Source: Department of Social Welfare/WEDAMonies spent from the PWD fund between 2017 and 2018 Three cost/expenditure classifications were identified; a) Pre-monitoring visits, b) Organisation of Disbursement ceremony, and c) Actual fund disbursement to beneficiaries. These expenses were undertaken between 2017 and 2018. 140,731.25 was spent on the above items. Table 2.7 has details. Table 2.7: Breakdown of spend from the 3%DACF for PWDs A cumulative amount of GH¢ Description Amount (GH¢) Pre-monitoring visits 2,098.00 Organization of Disbursement ceremom 8,200.00 Actual disbursement of funds to beneficiaries | 130,433.25 Total spend 140,731.25 Source: DSW/WEDA Disbursement and other expenses Taking into consideration the transfer made into the PWD fund and expenses undertaken, a total of GH¢ 16,347.85 was outstanding in the account. Refer to figure 1.5 below. Figure 1.5: DACF transfers, Disbursement and other expenses as at June, 2018 3% DACF for WEDA = Amountdisbursed ™Pre-monitoringvisit _ ™ organiation of disbursement ceremony. 130,433.25This computation however, did not consider the balances before the project. An account reconciliation statement by the District Finance Department revealed a balance of GH¢ 18,059.11, thus as at June, 2018. Figure 1.6 below is a scanned copy of the statement. Figure 1.6 Reconciliation statement BANK RECONCILIATION STATEMENT FOR THE MONTH ENDED 30/06/18 PWD ACCOUNT 4038 i WEDA gue Balance as per Bank Statement 19,541.60 Less Unpresented Cheque 19/06/2018 GRA 000114 1482.49 1,482.49 Balance as per Cash Book 18,059.11 Ce DISTRICT COORDINATING DIRECTOR (FRANK ERNEST ODRO) Bake A (QULIANA BOADUWAA MENSAH)a \ Recommendations and Conclusion These perceptions need to be given a thorough consideration in terms of future application windows and disbursements. In as much as PWDs and caregivers would not be pleased with any delays with disbursement, the assembly could improvise to seek sponsorship from other development partners, especially those that require urgent medical assistance and educational support. The duty bearer is further advised to work at improving the application process to cater for the diverse group of PWDs. Skyy Media recommends that the DSW/CD undertakes an impact assessment or monitoring of beneficiaries. This would better inform the assembly on correctional measures if necessary, with the support given PWDs. Though some progress has been made in terms of beneficiary access to the fund, it must be noted that much, more specifically, needs to be done to incorporate Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion in the disbursement formula or criteria, as well as budgeting and ties associated with PWDs but to the operations of the assembly. programming not only to actiPaste withfunding & STAR ERY support from 27