LEAP Implementers Must Eschew Partisan Politics In Selecting Beneficiaries

Implementers of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) have been asked to exhibit honesty in the selection of the vulnerable beneficiaries in the communities, to ensure the success of the programme. Mr Peter Tweneboah-Kodua, Western Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, noted that any laxity displayed by the implementers of the LEAP, would be a defeat of the purpose for which the programme was instituted in 2008, to alleviate the plight of the vulnerable in society. He made the call at the end of a three-day capacity building workshop organized for the District LEAP Implementation Committee drawn from seven districts of the Western Region in Takoradi. The districts were Bia, Jomoro, Ahanta West, Mpohor, Shama, Aowin Suaman, and Daboase. LEAP is a cash transfer programme for the poorest households in Ghana. The facilitators from the Global Search Foundation took the participants through the stages of how to target the rightful beneficiaries of the LEAP programme. The Social Welfare Director said the unfortunate plight of the vulnerable in society has touched on the government to institute the social intervention to support them with the remittance to be able to meet their basic needs. It, therefore, behoves on the implementers to apply the laid-down criteria in selecting those in need to benefit from the programme, and warned against the use of political party influence in the selection of the people. He said the task is sacrificial, and therefore, warned the District Staff members against demanding favours from the beneficiaries. The government, he said, provided the programme to help the poorest families with basic needs, including food, to improve health, education and status of children. Those who qualify for the programme include orphans, vulnerable children, the aged, severely persons with disabilities who cannot walk, and chronically ill children. Mr Tweneboah-Kodua entreated the Implementers to ensure effective supervision over the exercise, for the beneficiaries to make good use of the money. Mr Jude K. Rockwood, Executive Director of the Global Search Foundation, urged the participants to apply the knowledge acquired to impact positively on the vulnerable group.