Gender Minister Conducts First Monitoring Of LEAP Cash Payment In Agona West Constituency

Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Mrs Cynthia Morrison has conducted her first Monitoring of Livelihood Empower Against Poverty (LEAP) Cash Payment in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region.

Hon. Mrs Cynthia Morrison who is also the Member of Parliament for the area visited pay points locations at Agona Kwaman, Agona Bobikuma -Upper as well as Agona Bobikuma -Lower to observe and evaluate the modality of payment and to response to concerns of the beneficiaries.

She accordingly interacted with the beneficiaries thus taking notes on the programme and how it could be improved to serve them better.

Addressing the beneficiaries at their various communities, Hon. Mrs Cynthia Morrison encouraged them to make judicious use of the remittance they received from the government stating that would encourage the government to expand the facility to cover more families.

" Those receiving the money on behalf of the aged, please in the name of God Almighty, spend it wisely for them. If you you take care of the orphans, aged, widows and widowers, God will surely bless you abundantly.

So let make sure that we don't misused the fund meant to cushion them financially.

As we all know Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is a Cash transfer programme introduced by Former President John Agyekum Kuffour cushion the poorest households in the country.

It is to assist the poorest families with basic needs including food, to improve health and education status of children in the poorest families and lastly to help the beneficiary families come out of their poverty situations "

Later in interview, Hon. Mrs Cynthia Morrison disclosed that LEAP programme has exit point that when a beneficiary dies, she or he automatically exit from the payment voucher.

" My visit is to interact with the beneficiaries and to take note of their various Concern. It is also to enroll more people who qualifies to join the programme. Am happy the beneficiaries are appreciating the little they get from the programme to better their lots.

His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP government is committed towards the well-being of the citizenry.

I therefore wish to appeal to cooperate bodies, Civil Society Groups, NGOs, Churches, Islamic community in Ghana and beyond, Philanthropist and Individuals to support the Ministry to expand the programme "

The Gender Ministry hinted that plans were far advanced for the Ministry to house Street Children at a Center to give then education and vocational training to enable them be Self-sufficient.

" It's worthy to note that National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is free for for all LEAP beneficiaries. Antenatal and Post-natal care is also free for them as well while Birth Registration is free for children under 12 months.

So all members of the families are entitled to Free NHIS Card. I will like to appeal to beneficiaries to Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Stay Clean, Educate their Children and to invest in pretty trading, farming and small animal livestock. This will go a long way to support the family financially "

The beneficiaries lauded their Member of Parliament for the visit adding it has encouraged them tremendously.

" We are extremely happy that our Honourable Member of Parliament has come to visit us today. She has rekindled the cordial relationship between us.

Not many people remember their root as Hon. Mrs Cynthia Morrison has done. She is a Cabinet Minister, but has chosen come down to our level to interact with those of us in this conditions

We wish God's Blessings upon her and wish her well in whatever she does as Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection"

Guantuahene of Agona Kwaman, Nana Anno Akyanfo commended the Gender Minister for her visit assuring her that Nananom would personally monitor activities of the caretakers and the beneficiaries as well

Hon. Mrs Cynthia Morrison was accompanied by Mr. Seth K. Amofa , National LEAP Program Manager, Mr. William Niyuni, Deputy Director, LEAP program, Mr. Colson Akanbasiam, Head of Communication, Mr. Richard Nartey, Head of Payment and Mr. Thomas Boateng Wisdom, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation.