A Kumasi – based herbalist, H/Dr Samuel Ampomah who doubles as the Managing Director of Ampomah Herbal Clinic and Research Centre located at Kumasi – Abuakwa has expressed his readiness to engage thirty (30) persons with disabilities within Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region into his Clinic to compliment government effort at creating jobs for the disabled people, instance he mentioned the highways toll boots which government has employed number of disabled persons to manage them nationwide.
Speaking to the Public Agenda, H/Dr. Ampomah who has been in the herbal industry for the past forty (40) years said under his agenda, he would recruits both illiterates and educated males and females who are physically challenged and make them to undergo training in the production of various herbal medicines that would earn them monthly remunerations, adding that others would also be engaged to sell the herbal products in mini-kiosks at some vantage points in Kumasi metropolis among other convenient parts in Ashanti Region and that the parents of the disabled children would also be considered so that they can cater for the for the wellbeing of their children.
Asked about is intention on the initiative he said, for so many years people with disability cases have been neglected by the society especially in the areas of job provision thus making them to turn into beggars, hence his decision is to provide jobs for them so that they can earn their decent daily bread and cater for their families. This move, he said, would also end up the “street begging menace” by such PWDS to attract respect from the public. Dr. Samuel Ampomah who himself is a disabled person hinted that since the establishment of his clinic apart from having over 3700 herbs to cure any kind of aliments, he is yet to come out with another 12 herbal medicines that have the potency to cure more “stubborn” aliments and these herbs would be included in his stock to enhance the learning skills of those who would be recruited.
To ensure more effectiveness of the programme, Dr. Apomah pointed out that he would revive his collapsed Herbal Medicine Training School and employ qualified retired Doctors who are knowledgeable in – herbal medicines to train students to compliment his efforts at creating jobs for the disabled people in the society.
He told Public Agenda that free accommodation, meals and transport would be provided for the disabled job earners to be encouraged to work hard to earn their living. Asked further about what kind of diseases he has particularly decided to make the disabled workers to undergo through training with his 40 years’ experience and low serious he can achieve his aim, he hinted that the beneficiaries would be trained in the curing of cases including stroke, hepatitis, cardiac disease, typhoid, stomach pains, fever, anemia, sexual weakness, HIV/AIDS among others but was quick to assert that apart from creating jobs for these people he also want to impact his knowledge into others so that after his death, others will carry on for their livelihood. Explaining how he is serious about his current plans to relieve the disabled citizens from their suppression and neglect to enable them live better, he told this correspondent that he has presently sold out his private car worth GH ₵17000.00 (₵170 Million old currency) among other properties as an initial working capital, while he has row herbal medicine stock that can last him for five years, and so owns boys quarters to provide accommodation. He said under his administration, he would employ permanent caterer who will be responsible for the preparation of meals for the learners. Dr. Amponsah said when he commence full operation and sees positive results, he would spread his tentacles across the whole country to provide jobs for the number of disabled persons begging on the streets to give them dignity within the society. On this note he advised institutions, individuals and Non-Governmental organization (NGO’s) to consider giving the disabled persons more opportunities to deliver when the need arises instead of always look down upon them in the society. He said the initiative in question runs into Gh ₵ 70,000.00, and that since God helps those who helps themselves hence he has made the kick off, and therefore called on the government, institutions and well-meaning Ghanaians to offer him all the needed support and logistics to ensure that his dream becomes a reality.
