Delay in LEAP payments deepening hardships – CSOs to government.
The Civil Society Platform on the Sustainable Development Goal 10, the Social Accountability Forum, and the Civil Society Platform for Social Protection have called on government to pay beneficiaries under its Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP).
The CSOs have bemoaned the beneficiaries are facing untold hardships due to the delay in the disbursement.
In a press release, the groups indicated that “this delay has left vulnerable Ghanaians, including the elderly, orphans and vulnerable children, very poor pregnant women and lactating mothers with infants under a year, and persons with severe disabilities without productive capacity, in dire straits amid cost of living increasing by 15% over the past year and food prices rising by 20%. This highlights a significant breach of trust and duty by the government.
The CSOs acknowledged the government’s efforts in the past year to increase LEAP benefits and disburse grants at the increased rate in 2023 albeit with some delays.
However, the government have not only failed to meet the IMF bailout negotiations for a timely disbursement of LEAP grants to support vulnerable households but this delay is particularly detrimental as it coincides with a period of increasing inflation and economic instability.
Additionally, “for many elderly beneficiaries, LEAP grants are a lifeline. These funds are often their only source of income, enabling them to purchase food, medication, and other essential items. The delays, which have stretched to as long as four months, mean that many elderly individuals are forced to make impossible choices between eating and buying medicine,” the CSOs stated.
They added that for orphans and vulnerable children, this comes with proud ripple effects as the LEAP benefit is supposed to support their education, nutrition, and basic needs.
The CSOs called for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable Ghanaians and to restore confidence in the government’s social protection initiatives.
“The delayed LEAP payments represent not only a breach of trust but a pressing humanitarian crisis. As inflation continues to rise, the government must prioritize the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and expedite the disbursement of these crucial grants.”
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“This is not just about fulfilling a promise made during bailout negotiations; it is about upholding the dignity and well-being of Ghanaians who depend on this support to survive. The timeliness of LEAP payments is also critical to achieving the programme’s positive social and economic objectives.”
