Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is spearheading a significant modernization of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program, the nation’s flagship social protection initiative. This transformation centers around the integration of mobile money technology into the payment system, aiming to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for beneficiaries. Minister Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, during a site visit to observe a pilot program in Accra, emphasized the government’s commitment to a digital-first approach to social protection, characterizing the mobile money initiative as a “bold and transformative step.” The move seeks to leverage the widespread adoption of mobile money in Ghana to ensure secure and direct disbursement of funds to vulnerable households, eliminating previous logistical hurdles and promoting financial inclusion. This pilot program is designed to rigorously test the system’s effectiveness, identify potential challenges, and gather feedback for a seamless nationwide rollout.
The shift to mobile money payments aligns with the government’s broader digitalization agenda and its commitment to poverty reduction and strengthened accountability in social interventions. Minister Lartey highlighted that this transition represents the government’s dedication to building a more inclusive and transparent social protection system that upholds the dignity of all Ghanaians, particularly the most vulnerable. This initiative, coupled with the recently enacted Ghana Social Protection Bill, signifies a substantial stride towards a more robust and sustainable social protection framework. The bill provides a comprehensive legal foundation for coordinating and implementing social protection programs, ensuring long-term effectiveness and accountability.
In conjunction with the mobile money pilot, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ghana National Household Registry (GNHR), has initiated a nationwide reassessment of LEAP beneficiaries. This comprehensive review aims to validate existing household data, rectify any errors in inclusion or exclusion, and ultimately ensure that the program’s resources are directed solely to those who genuinely qualify. This reassessment underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the LEAP program and optimizing its impact on poverty alleviation. Minister Lartey lauded President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for reshaping social protection in Ghana, emphasizing that these initiatives firmly position social protection not as charity, but as a fundamental pillar of national development.
While celebrating the potential of the mobile money integration, Minister Lartey also issued a strong appeal to caregivers and community members entrusted with handling LEAP payments on behalf of beneficiaries. She urged them to act with integrity and ensure that the intended recipients receive the full amount due to them, cautioning against exploiting the vulnerability of those they represent. This appeal underscores the importance of ethical conduct and community responsibility in ensuring the success of the program and safeguarding the well-being of its beneficiaries.
Korle Klottey Member of Parliament, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, highlighting the critical role of transparency and community education in the effective implementation of the mobile money pilot. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings acknowledged persistent challenges within the LEAP program, including the exclusion of eligible households and concerns regarding the adequacy of payment amounts. She stressed the need for comprehensive community engagement and awareness campaigns to ensure that all qualified individuals are included in the program and that any existing misconceptions are addressed.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings further addressed concerns regarding instances where caregivers fail to deliver payments to beneficiaries, particularly the elderly and infirm. She emphasized the unacceptability of such actions and encouraged affected individuals to utilize available channels, including her office, to report these issues. Both Minister Lartey and Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings underscored that the ongoing digital transformation of the LEAP program is specifically designed to tackle these challenges, promoting fairness, accessibility, and dignity for all Ghanaians experiencing poverty. This commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to feedback demonstrates the government’s dedication to ensuring the program’s effectiveness and its positive impact on the lives of vulnerable populations.
