A growing concern is emerging from the Krachi East District as stakeholders call for urgent reforms to improve the efficiency of Ghana’s flagship poverty alleviation programme, the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP).
The Krachi East Social Welfare Officer, Kwasi Boampem, has made a passionate appeal to government authorities to shorten the time gap between the reassessment and validation of LEAP beneficiaries.
According to him, the current delays are creating significant challenges for officers on the ground.
He explained that the long interval often results in beneficiaries becoming untraceable due to death or relocation, making it increasingly difficult to maintain accurate and updated records.
This, he stressed, undermines the effectiveness of the programme and its ability to reach the most vulnerable.
Mr. Boampem made these remarks during a monitoring and evaluation exercise on the LEAP reassessment conducted by LoveAid Foundation.
The exercise aimed to assess how well the programme is performing, identify lessons learned, and recommend improvements to ensure it truly lifts beneficiaries out of poverty.
Meanwhile, the Programmes Officer of the foundation, Joshua Tetteh Ayayi, offered a broader perspective on tackling poverty.
In an interview with the media, he emphasized that relying solely on cash transfers is not a sustainable solution.
Mr. Ayayi advocated for a more transformative approach; one that integrates skill acquisition for children of LEAP beneficiaries.
He suggested that equipping these young people with vocational skills and providing them with the necessary tools or equipment upon completion would empower them to support their families.
Such an approach, he noted, would not only reduce long-term dependency on government support but also create opportunities for new beneficiaries to be enrolled into the programme.
Beneficiaries themselves echoed similar sentiments. Many expressed a desire for skills training and startup support instead of continuous financial aid for daily sustenance.
They believe this shift would provide them with lasting economic independence and dignity.
The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme is a flagship social protection initiative introduced by the Government of Ghana in 2008 to support the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Targeting extremely poor households, the programme provides bi-monthly cash transfers to groups such as the elderly (65 years and above), persons with severe disabilities, orphans and vulnerable children.
Beyond financial support, LEAP also connects beneficiaries to essential services like healthcare through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Over the years, LEAP has played a critical role in reducing extreme poverty and improving living conditions for thousands of households across Ghana.
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