Hon Otiko Djaba’s visit to the Ndasiman Community in the Mfantseman District (Central Region) to monitor the 48th Cycle LEAP payment
The Honorable minister for Gender Children and Social Protection, Hon. Otiko Afisah Djaba, was in the Mfantseman district to monitor the 48thCycle LEAP Payments. Prior to her final stop at the Ndasiman community, she paid a curtesy call on the Central Regional Minister and the Municipal Chief Executive of Mfantseman.
In her speech to beneficiaries gathered at the Ndasiman pay point, the minister explained the essence of investing the LEAP grant into productive businesses; she stated that, social protection programmes should not be considered as handouts but rather economic levelers that provide an opportunity for each beneficiary to thrive.
The desired outcome of the LEAP programme is to graduate every beneficiary out of extreme poverty into a state of self-dependency. In line with, the LEAP Plus initiative based on the framework of productive inclusion has been designed to assist LEAP beneficiaries or caregivers with the innate desire to work and be productive. This assistance is non-monetary but rather a transfer of skills that reflects the capacity of the local economy. This training includes but not limited to; basket weaving, beads making, processing of shea butter etc. She explained that the LEAP plus initiative will effectively become an economic conveyor belt.
The product in this case is the rural entrepreneur who is seizing the opportunity of a lifetime to change his or her own life and while at it, to change the outlook of their families and community as well. Productive inclusion as a policy directive seeks to give beneficiaries the chance to take the agenda of changing lives into their own hands and to create beneficiaries out of their own businesses and opportunities. The ongoing project by Japan Social Development Fund, where selected LEAP beneficiaries are trained in basket weaving and production gives us a sneak peek into the endless opportunities that exist for all our beneficiaries.
Hon. Otiko Afisah Djaba further advised all beneficiaries to adopt healthy eating habits and ensure that children within their households are adequately provided for. She urged the beneficiaries to implement the advice of the Health Officer and incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diet.
In her closing remarks, the honorable minister stated that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) is committed to safeguarding the life of every vulnerable and marginalized person, but however cautioned that this mandate cannot be achieved without their cooperation.
Achaligabe Colson Akanbasiam (Mr) is the Head of Case Management of the LEAP programme. He has over 15 years working experience in both governmental and non-governmental organisations. He holds a Master of Philosophy Degree in Gender and Development (Norway) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with Political Science (Ghana).
Alhaji Lateef Mamudu is a senior civil servant and has Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting from Tamale Polytechnic and a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Ghana Institute Of Management And Public Administration (GIMPA).
Thomas Boateng Quaison holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Information Studies from University of Ghana. He has undergone training on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) including Evaluation of Social Programmes at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA) at the University of Ghana Business School and Project Management Professionals (PMP) at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
Richard Azina Nartey joined the LEAP team in September 2013 as Assistant to the Head of Operations Unit, having previously worked as a Programme Officer on the National Social Protection Strategy at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Richard worked with Youth and Women Empowerment (CSO) as Youth Coordinator, Project Manager and Executive Director.
Felix Kwaku Logah Felix Kwaku Logah is the head of operations for the LEAP Programme. He is the lead in planning and implementing LEAP Programme design parameters. He is responsible for targeting and enrollment activities. He is a professional Social Worker who holds Masters degree in Development Studies, Bachelor in Social Work and Clinical Psychology, Certificate in Public Heath all from University of Ghana, Legon. Trained in Designing and Implementing Social Cash Transfer in the Economic and Policy Research Institute, Cape Town -South Africa, Trained in Development Evaluation (IPDET) in Carleton University, Ottawa-Canada.
Dzigbordi Kofi Agbekpornu is the National LEAP Manager and is responsible for leading the team at LEAP Management Secretariat to achieve the Programme objectives. He also coordinates and manages programme activities across the country at regional, district and community levels.
Jeremiah Yanney is a City & Guilds of London Institute Certificate & Diploma holder in Microprocessors and Microcomputer Technology, Microsoft A+, Networking+ and (MCP) Microsoft Certified Professional, (MCSE) Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, FSK systems. He has specialized skills in Hardware, Networking, Systems administration, MIS consultancy, training, and a Certificate in Social protection (CSPS, University of Ghana).
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