Residents of Penkpaari Appeal for Inclusion in LEAP Program

Elderly and vulnerable residents of Penkpaari in the Tokali Electoral Area of the Wa West District have appealed to the government to include them in the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program.

Speaking to Info Radio, community members expressed deep disappointment over what they described as longstanding neglect by the government. According to them, not a single resident of Penkpaari currently benefits from the social intervention program, which is designed to provide financial support to the aged, disabled, and extremely poor households.

“We have aged people here who have no means of income or support, yet we have been left out,” said one resident. “It’s like the government doesn’t even know we exist.”

The residents are urging the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, which oversees the LEAP program, to conduct fresh assessments in the area and ensure that eligible members of the community are enrolled.

They also called on local authorities and opinion leaders in the district to advocate on their behalf and help bring attention to their plight.

The LEAP program has been a critical social protection initiative in Ghana, offering bi-monthly cash transfers to support the most vulnerable. However, logistical challenges and targeting gaps have left some communities, like Penkpaari, feeling excluded.

The residents are hopeful that their voices will be heard and that action will be taken to address their concerns.