The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development together with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection welcomed a delegation from the World Bank to embark on a monitoring of projects under the Ghana Productive Safety Net Program Phase II (GPSNP II) in beneficiary regions.
The visit was to also evaluate projects implementation based on four key interventions set under the program. It also took stock and reflected on the achievement and improvement of the Programme.
These interventions included: Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP); Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW); Productive Inclusion (PI); the Ghana School Feeding programme (GSFP), which is a new addition onto the GPSNP II. These interventions aimed to help alleviate poverty in the Rural Community through the credit facilitated program in GPSNP II.
The World Bank delegation was satisfied with progress of the works during the tour as the program has impacted many lives in the beneficiary communities.
Positive Responses
Community beneficiaries from the Region visited showed that, the GPSNP II projects have impacted their lives and improved their livelihoods. They mentioned the progress the Program has brought to their communities.
The District Chief Executives of the two Districts requested for an extension of the Program to benefit other communities.
The Regional Minister for the Bono Region, Justina Awo Owusu–Banahene, expressed her appreciation for the visit and pledged the Region’s continuous support to the submission of reports for the effectiveness of the projects under GPSNP II.
Challenges
The beneficiaries of the program mentioned some challenges faced in the implementation of the Program. They stated that even though the Program is one of the best things that has happened for them, it would help if funds were increased.
Women working under the Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPW) project requested for reduction in their task rate to enable reduce work load and also improvement on payment to avoid delays.
Focla Persons on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) also requested for transportation for easy assessment of communities during disbursement of funds.
Interventions
E-Feeding platform to put all school feeding caterers on one platform for easy access and payment, is part of new interventions on the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).
Regions Visited
The regions visited included Offinso North District and Tano South Municipal Assemblies, these Regions have benefitted from the GPSNP II Program.
Source: RHODALINE ABBA
(MLGDRD, PUBLIC RELATIONS)