BY Mohammed Suleman
The payment to be made today, is the 39th cycle cash transfer by the Ministry since the inception of the programme.
Addressing a press conference in Accra last week, a Deputy Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Alexander Ackon, said there has been a significant increase in the number of beneficiary households.
“We are certainly on track to achieving 200,000 beneficiary household target by 2016.This will translate into at least 800,000 individuals benefiting from LEAP,” Hon. Ackon noted.
He announced that beneficiaries of LEAP 1000, targeted at pregnant women and children less two years old, would also receive their second cash transfer today in three districts of the Upper East Region and seven districts Northern Region.
The Deputy Minister said cash transfer to beneficiaries was increased following the last cycle payment.
The LEAP payments, Hon Ackon said, had been consistent for a very long time and there were no areas to the beneficiaries.
He stressed that the LEAP programme was showing a positive impact on poverty alleviation in the country.
To strengthen LEAP, Mr Ackon disclosed that the Ministry would conduct a national evaluation exercise next year to access its impact. The Ministry is expected to also rollout electronic payment nationwide for quick and effective transfer of cash to beneficiaries.
“Government remains committed to putting in place measures that will help to make life comfortable for the vulnerable in society. This, it will continue to pursue until the all the vulnerable persons are covered,” he added.
