Implementation challenges of social protection policies in four districts in Ghana: The case of the District Assembly Common Fund meant for Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

This study explores Ghana's implementation of a policy of two per cent of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) meant for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in four districts. It employed in-depth interviews with PWDs and offi cers in the District Assembly. The study revealed that the District Assemblies did not fully comply with directives from the central government to implement the policy. There were inconsistencies in the implementation of the policy and many PWDs received amounts that were less than they required. Further, fi xed amounts were allocated to PWDs for diff erent purposes and even though the purposes for requests were not clear, payments were made. The study recommends the need to compile and maintain a database of all PWDs in all the Districts in Ghana, implementing uniform format for allocation of the DACF to PWDs, providing support in the form of inputs rather than cash, and mobilising PWDs into cooperatives. The District Assemblies might consider engaging independent evaluators to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the policy to give the much-needed direction to the policy.

Extending social protection to persons with disabilities: Exploring the accessibility and the impact of the Disability Fund on the lives of persons with disabilities in Ghana

“…For instance, Agboga (2015) and Edusei et al (2017) reported that though beneficiaries were able to invest their share of the fund in business, education and the purchase of healthcare devices, they encountered several challenges to accessibility. For instance, despite the existence of the Disability Fund Management Committee (DFMC), they did not follow up to check whether beneficiaries have properly utilised their share of the fund (Adamtey et al, 2018; Okrah, 2016). Also, it has been reported that few persons with disabilities are able to access the grant, and that those who have benefitted were given little or fixed amounts, regardless of their needs (Okrah, 2016).…”

Evolution of fungal and non-fungal eukaryotic communities in response to thermophilic co-composting of various nitrogen-rich green feedstocks

“…Sampling for other physical-chemical parameters was done on the sampling days described above. The pH of the compost (1:10 w/v waste: water extract), moisture, germination index, and Carbon dioxide emission during sampling days (mg CO2 g-1d-1) were done as described by [ 21 ]. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) was analyzed using the Kjeldahl method.…”

The experience of persons with disabilities as beneficiaries of Ghana’s District Assemblies Common Fund

“…Their research focused on members of OPDs in four districts of the Northern Region. A study by Adamtey et al, [ 28 ] found that the Disability Fund did not adhere to the fund guidelines. In some instances, beneficiaries received the same amounts of funds for different purposes.…”