DLIC

The District LEAP (Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty) Implementation Committee of the Denkyembour District Assembly held a meeting on January 14, 2025, at the District Assembly Hall. The primary agenda was to deliberate on plans for the upcoming LEAP Reassessment Exercise within the district. This meeting aimed to ensure all stakeholders were adequately informed and to incorporate their input into the process for a smooth and effective reassessment exercise.

The meeting was chaired by the District Director for Education; Mr. Thomas More Mensah Tsorhe, who represented the District Coordinating Director. Members of the committee, including representatives from various departments and community leaders, attended the session.

The meeting commenced at 10:00 a.m. with an opening prayer, after which the Chairperson welcomed members and outlined the importance of the session. The Chairperson emphasized the significance of the LEAP Reassessment Exercise, noting that it aligns with the government’s commitment to providing targeted social protection for the most vulnerable in society.

The District Social Welfare Officer, Madam Janet Lah, presented the modalities and rationale for the reassessment exercise. She explained that the exercise would evaluate the eligibility of current LEAP beneficiaries and identify new households that meet the criteria for support. She explained that the rationale of the reassessment was to ensure that LEAP benefits are reaching the most deserving households. The exercise was also aimed at updating beneficiary data for effective monitoring and evaluation. The reassessment would enable the Ministry determine households who would be rolled on, maintained, upgraded or exited from the LEAP Program.

She added that a survey would be undertaken by the Ghana National Household Registry which is also a division under the Ministry of Gender. Door-to-door surveys will be conducted in all communities within the district. Enumerators will be trained and equipped with digital tools to collect accurate data. Community leaders and opinion leaders will be engaged to facilitate the process. The Social Welfare Officer assured members that the process would be conducted transparently and in compliance with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection’s guidelines.

Following the presentation, the chairperson opened the floor for comments, questions, and suggestions. Members of the committee contributed actively, providing insights to enhance the effectiveness of the reassessment exercise. Members emphasized the need for extensive community sensitization to ensure cooperation from households during the exercise. Suggestions were made to include a session on cultural sensitivity and communication skills in the training for enumerators. Also, concerns were raised about potential delays in the exercise and its impact on beneficiaries. The Social Welfare Officer assured the committee of a well-structured timeline.

Members recommended establishing a grievance redress mechanism to handle complaints or concerns arising during the exercise. Members underscored the importance of involving traditional and religious leaders to foster trust and participation from community members.

The Chairperson thanked members for their active participation and valuable contributions. She urged all stakeholders to collaborate effectively to ensure the success of the reassessment exercise. The meeting concluded at 12:30 p.m. with a closing prayer.

The meeting was productive and laid a solid foundation for the LEAP Reassessment Exercise. The committee’s discussions and suggestions underscored the need for transparency, inclusivity, and community engagement. These recommendations will guide the implementation process to achieve its intended goals of identifying and supporting the most vulnerable households in the Denkyembour District.