2010-02-08 20:08:12This article has been read 52 times.
BasicNeeds, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) has supported 70 mental and epileptic patients from seven districts of the Northern Region with working tools and equipment.
They include 38 hand-sewing machines, 19 foot-sewing machines, 16 sets of carpentry tools, three weaving looms, two hair-dryers, two auto-repair tools, one tie and dye material.
The equipment came with their accessories.
The items were supplied based on an assessment of their needs and interests. The aim is to make them economically independent and active.
Mr Peter Yaro, the Country Programme Manager of BasicNeeds made the presentation to the beneficiaries in Tamale on Thursday at a ceremony under the theme: "Ensuring secure livelihoods for people with mental illness and epilepsy and primary careers in Ghana".
It was funded by the European Union.
He said the package was also to support patients, who have shown a remarkable improvement in their health and longed to do something for themselves such that they would become useful to their families.
Mr Yaro said it is hoped that the package would reduce the high unemployment rate experienced in most parts of the country adding that "Over 2,300 beneficiaries have so far been provided with tools and equipment in four regions".
He appealed to government and development partners to support mental patients, who have gained remarkable stability.
Mr Yaro asked government to consider such people in programmes such as the Livelihood Employment Against Poverty (LEAP) and Management of Micro Finance and Small Loan Centre (MASLOC).
