The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) will expand to enroll in children with special needs.
Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gifty Twum-Ampofo revealed this on a working visit to the Upper East Region.
According to her, the expansion aims to alleviate the poverty level parents of children with special needs go through.
“Even if the household is well to do or they have a child who is cerebral palsy of highly autistic, such a child needs to be on LEAP. At least the mother will have a little money to buy diapers from LEAP, because mothers like that can never leave their homes for 24 hours because of the child”.
The minister who doubles as Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North also announced some changes that LEAP is embarking on.
According to her some beneficiaries who have been on LEAP for a number of years will be exited “not because a new government has come so we want to take their names out, no; it is because they may not be as needy as they used to be”
LEAP since its inception in 2008 has supported the aged and vulnerable in society through cash and entrepreneurial support. In the Bolga Municipality, a total of 292 beneficiaries from Dachio, Dubila, Kolbia and Aguusi communities are benefiting from the program.
Madam Gifty Twum-Ampofo entreated the beneficiaries to prudently utilize the money given them in order to help alleviate poverty in the country.
“They should use the money for some investment; those who are into craft works can buy materials to boost their business to improve their standard of living.”
A beneficiary, Aduko Atogetege said the program has aided her in taking care of her son’s education up to the JHS level.
Another beneficiary, Ayin-ita Ayarika thanked government for absorbing the cost of registering and renewing their health insurance under the program.
By: Joshua Asaah|A1radioonline.com|Ghana
