TEERE AND GFD UNDERTAKES SENSITIZATION TOUR FOR LEADERSHIP OF PWDS AND CORE ASSEMBLY STAFF IN SEVEN DISTRICTS.

• May 21, 2018.
• Venue Upper East, Ghana

Introduction
TEERE in partnership with UER GFD organised workshops for each of the seven districts in the Upper East Region. The workshop sensitized district GFD Leaders, DFMC members and core Staff of the Assembly on the management, disbursement and utilisation of Disability fund and also tackle some emerging issues pertaining to their districts. The workshops took place in the Kassena-nankana west, Bongo, Bolgatanga, Builsa south, Garu-Tempane, Nabdam and Talensi Districts.

Education on the policy guidelines
Mr. David Aniah, UER GFD President took participants step by step through the provisions in the policy guidelines. In his presentation, he mentioned that Members of the disability fund management committee, various leaders in GFD and the persons with disability must follow these guidelines to the latter in order to ensure the proper management of the funds.
Some concerns were raised by the district GFD leaders about the press release from the Administrator of the common fund outlining new guidelines. He said that some members in other regions were demonstrating due to such issues but he was happy that the Upper East region was an exception. This was due to the intervention by TEERE and GFD through rigorous advocacy and sensitization in collaboration with the RCC and Assemblies.
Avea Avea Prosper, A project Manager for TEERE admonished the leadership of the PWDs and staff of the Assemblies to follow strictly the policy guidelines. He said this would not only bring about the needed impact but also ensure a corruption free disability fund. He also encouraged them to report any issues they may face within their districts. He further stressed that the sensitisation is a wakeup call for all stakeholders to get involve to eliminate unwarranted interferences in the management of the Disability fund

Templates
TEERE in collaboration with UER GFD with the relevant stakeholders developed three sets of templates. These were the Application, Reporting and Monitoring Templates. TEERE and GFD were pleased to see all the Seven (7) districts using the new templates as this will help curb corruption in the management of the Disability Fund.
Issues such as how applicants can fill the budget component of the form were duly explained by Mr. Aniah and a staff of TEERE, Miss. Juliana Atagra.
The Assembly Staff and DFMC were also encouraged to make a brail form of the templates for persons who are visually impaired.
The DFMC were also reminded of their responsibility of reporting to the various stakeholders including NCPD and GFD about the status of the use of the funds in their districts.

Discussion with DCEs and DCD
During our visits to the districts, the Team met with some DCEs and DCDs to have a discussion on the proper management and utilisation of the funds.
They commended TEERE and GFD for the tremendous work they are doing to make sure that misappropriation of the funds are removed and also bringing transparency. They also assured the team of also advising and making sure that approvals of memos are made on time for beneficiaries.
Some DCEs complained about able-bodied people and aged benefiting from the fund previously. They therefore pledge their support in working with the DFMC and the GFD to eradicate this menace.



Conclusion
The participants in the districts said this discussion has empowered them to monitor and make sure the funds are well managed.
This is to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the management and utilisation of the disability fund. This is part of efforts to ensure that corruption is uprooted from the system as part of our activities to support the implementation of the National Anti-corruption Action Plan (NACAP).
We hope that the leaders would take this information to their members in the communities. TEERE and GFD would also want to thank the French Embassy in Ghana for providing funds to carry out this project.