Country Director of Send Ghana, George Osei-Bimpeh, has called on government to pay LEAP arrears to beneficiaries. Mr. Osei-Bimpeh revealed that government has defaulted in the 71st cycle payment to the beneficiaries.

In a statement release, it insisted that the delay in payment will affect the consumption pattern of beneficiaries. Similarly, it noted that it will impact negatively on their livelihoods currently compounded by the pandemic.

“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”.

Send Ghana also revealed that a survey by GSS, indicated that approximately 22 million Ghanaian are affected by reduced household income.

As a result, there was an increase in prices of food in “77% of households. It further suggests that more than half (52%) of households have experienced reduced food consumption”.

New taxes leading to high cost of living

Moreover, Mr. Osei-Bimpeh intimated that imposition of new taxes has only worsened the plight of Ghanaians. According to him, this is more telling in the lives of those who depend on the LEAP cash transfers.

“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”.

Address challenges with LEAP payment

Mr. Osei-Bimpeh further advised government to address the challenges inherent in the payment of arrears to the beneficiaries.

According to him, “any anomaly that impedes the smooth delivery of social protection… ought to be aggressively addressed”.

He also reminded government of its social contract with the people and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Send Ghana Country Director however, expressed his optimism over the resolution of the payment of arrears in the 72^nd cycle.

“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”.