The LEAP 1000 is a new phase of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty LEAP, Program, targeting pregnant women and lactating mothers with children under age two.
The payment of the cash which will be done every two month is intended to support women to attend antenatal care, deliver safely and provide sufficient nutritional contents for their babies. With this special intervention, beneficiaries women are expected to improve on their health conditions and support themselves in other livelihood activities.
Speaking to Radio Ghana during his visit to identifiable communities in the region, the CEO of LEAP, Kwesi Armo Himbson, said the objective of LEAP 1000 is to tackle malnutrition and eventually prevent stunted growth among the identified group.
Correspondent Isaac Asare has more for Radio Ghana.
Report
The introduction of LEAP which is demonstrated in the form of social grants and cash transfers has improved the lives of most vulnerable people in deprived areas of the country.
To the extreme poor, LEAP has increased their income levels. Since 2008, LEAP has been extended to cover more beneficiary households in selected districts with an appreciable monthly subsistence grant. By the end of 2013, the LEAP program had benefited about 80 thousand households in over 99 districts nationwide.
Beneficiaries were receiving between 8 to 15 Ghana Cedis per month. With the rising cost of living coupled with high inflationary rate, a significant percentage of beneficiaries advocated for an increment in the payment of the cast grant.
In 2014, government realising their financial stress, request the Gender Ministry to ensure an upward adjustment in the payment of LEAP following the depreciation of the cedi. Subsequently, the benefits have been increased significantly.
One member households which used to receive 48 Ghana Cedis will now receives 64 Ghana Cedis.
Two member households which that received 60 Ghana Cedis now receives 76 Ghana Cedis, while three member households will now cash in 88 Ghana Cedis instead of 72 Ghana Cedis received previously.
The grant sum, which was 90 Ghana Cedis for four or more member households, now collects hundred and six Ghana Cedis.
However, the disbursement of the cash grant has its own challenges.
The tour of LEAP officials to beneficiary communities within the Upper East region was to effectively monitor the disbursement of the monies.
The team were at Beo and Saporo in the Bongo district including Bugla/Tabre and Buluik in the Bawku West District. The CEO of LEAP, Kwesi Armoh Himbson.
He explained the concept of LEAP 1000 and the 38 cycle of payment which, he noted, was targeting 200 thousand households nationwide by close of the year.
On the challenges facing the distribution of the cash grant, Mr Armo-Himbsom hinted that his ministry was working on modalities to introduce the electronic payment system by 2016.
This, he observed, will ward off fraudsters and make the programme more efficient, reliable and safer.
Some of the beneficiaries, 70 year old, Akeema Apogbila and 72 year old Abugdoo Atanga showed gratitude to government for the gesture.
According to them, the cash grant has in a way improved their wellbeing including their grandchildren.
GBC NEWS END ISAAC ASARE
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