PRESS STATEMENT: SEND GHANA calls on government to pay LEAP arrears to beneficiaries

For Immediate Release

MAY 5, 2021

 SEND GHANA CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO PAY LEAP ARREARS TO BENEFICIARIES

SEND GHANA observes with deep regrets, recent delays in payments of cash grants to beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty program (LEAP) across the country. It is recalled that the government combined the 69th and 70th cycle payments to beneficiaries in January 2021 reaching a little over 335,000 poor households.

However, the 71st cycle payment, which was due in March has not been paid. The 72nd cycle payment is also fast approaching. Payment will be due in the third week of May, suggesting that the government will most likely owe beneficiary households two-cycle payments i.e. four months grant. Undoubtedly, the erratic payments of grants affect the consumption pattern of beneficiaries and impact negatively on their livelihoods already exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) on the impact of COVID-19 on the social and economic lives of Ghanaians, for example, revealed that approximately 22 million Ghanaians are affected by reduced household income; 77% of households reported to be severely affected by an increase in prices of food, and more than half (52%) of households have experienced reduced food consumption. Amid rampant economic hardships, new taxes have been imposed, further leading to an increase in the cost of living among the average Ghanaian worker. Yet poor and vulnerable people who rely on the LEAP cash transfers have not been prioritized by the government. This, without question, denies beneficiaries of their fundamental right to social protection and for that matter decent living.

SEND GHAHA underscores the importance of social safety nets as a critical tool in protecting the poor and vulnerable from the impacts of economic meltdown. Therefore, any anomaly that impedes the smooth delivery of social protection, especially, during moments of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic ought to be aggressively addressed.

SEND GHANA wishes to remind the government of its social contract with the people and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 -No Poverty, 2 -Zero Hunger, and 10 -Reduced Inequalities by 2030. The government must take immediate steps to release funds for the 71st cycle payment to beneficiaries to help them meet their basic household consumption. We further call on the government to shift from an observed trend of delaying cash transfers and combining two-cycle payments as against the established practice of paying bi-monthly. In light of this, we hope that the 72nd payment cycle, which is due in the third week of this month (May) will not be missed.

Signed

George Osei-Bimpeh

Country Director, SEND GHANA

MAY 5, 2021