A civil society platform focused on Sustainable Development Goal 10 has urged the government to uphold its commitment to paying LEAP grants on time.
In a press statement signed by convener Auberon Jeleel Odoom, he stated that immediate action is required to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable Ghanaians and restore trust in the government’s social protection programmes.
According to him, the delayed LEAP payments represent a breach of trust and a pressing humanitarian crisis.
“Despite the government’s commitment to prompt payment of these grants as a condition of the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout negotiations, the process remains disappointingly sluggish. This delay has left vulnerable Ghanaians, including the elderly, orphans and vulnerable children, very poor pregnant women and lactating mothers with infants under 1 year, and persons with severe disabilities without productive capacity, in dire straits amid the cost of living increasing by 15% over the past year and food prices rising by 20%.” The statement noted
The group said the LEAP initiative is recognized as one of the five primary social intervention programmes being enhanced to assist the poor and vulnerable populations. By the end of 2023, the LEAP programme had extended its reach to approximately 350,580 households, benefiting around 1.5 million individuals nationwide.
“This issue transcends political and economic debates; it touches on the core of human dignity and the right to a basic standard of living.” The group stated
