The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has increased grants to beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP).
The increment takes effect from the next week.
This was revealed by the sector minister Nana Oye Lirthur at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday.
[contextly_sidebar id=”0wXEvAJzHfiURVkMbqeSheDQIXIeq99W”]The minister explained that the value of the grants disbursed in the past have depreciated significantly, making it necessary for an upward adjustment.
The increment was made possible after the ministry “made a case for an upward adjustment to government” which was approved.
Nana Oye explained that this means that “one member household which received GHC 48.00 previously will now receive GHC 64.00, two member households which received GHC 60.00 will receive GHC 76.00 while three member households will get GHC 88.00 from a previous of GHC 72.00, four or more member households will now be paid GHC 106.00.”
The increment is expected to expedite the eradication of poverty among beneficiaries.
The minister further announced that 5,000 new beneficiaries will be added from 184 districts “with effect from the next payments” she added.
She finally indicated that in order to further strengthen the programme, “the Ministry will conduct a national evaluation exercise next year to assess its impact”. Full electronic payment will also be rolled out by 2015.
According to the Minister these “significant changes” are in line to develop LEAP and make it a better social intervention programme.
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Magdalene Teiko Larnyoh/citifmonline.com/Ghana