The Mental Health Society of Ghana (MEHSOG) has called on government agencies and district assemblies to improve transparency in the distribution of funds and programmes meant to support persons with disabilities.
The Executive Secretary of MEHSOG, Humphrey Matey Kofie, said local authorities should regularly publish the names of verified beneficiaries of pro-poor disability interventions to assure the public that the funds are reaching people who genuinely qualify.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop in Nkawie, Mr Kofie said the absence of clear information on beneficiaries has created suspicion among persons with disabilities and their representatives.
He noted that some disability representatives serving on District Fund Management Committees have raised concerns about names appearing on payment lists without adequate explanation.
Mr Kofie therefore urged assemblies to cross-check beneficiaries against the official database, known as the “disability album”, which contains registered persons with disabilities in their respective areas.
He also called for the regular publication of information on funds available, amounts disbursed and beneficiaries supported during each quarter.
The workshop was organised by MEHSOG in partnership with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations and Africa Disability Institute, with support from the European Union.
Participants from eight regions were trained to use social accountability tools, including Community Score Cards, Citizen Report Cards and Public Expenditure Tracking, to monitor public programmes.
The initiatives targeted for monitoring include the disability portion of the District Assemblies Common Fund, LEAP, free NHIS registration for indigents, inclusive education and accessibility measures.
Esther Apraku Nyarko, Metro Director for Social Welfare and Community Development at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, pledged to improve transparency and engagement with disability groups.
She said the workshop had provided officials with practical methods to track and account for public funds.
Stephen Awuah
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