Ny3m3i, ts3m3i, any3mim3i, miinba ny3den omanye!
I am honoured to talk to you about LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND.
A society is judged by how it cares for those who have the least and struggle the most, and the compassion that its leadership shows in reducing social and economic inequalities. A nation’s ability to develop sustainably also depends, inter alia, on its preparedness to safeguard the lives and future of children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care.
Over the last 3 years, the NPP government has, thanks to a strong and vibrant economy with an obviously solid President in charge, extended greater social protection for the vulnerable in Ghanaian society particularly the needy, elderly, excluded and the physically and mentally challenged. These interventions are aimed at ensuring that as our society grows and prospers, no one is left behind, And we mean NO ONE especially our dear petty traders, fishers, farmers and commercial drivers! W)nts)) looyei, kayayei, okwafoi k3 jarayelil)i. W)shiii mokomoko!!!
Among measures taken to improve social protection is a significant improvement in the implementation of the Ghana School Feeding Programme which has been enhanced to reach more pupils with better quality meals. We have nearly doubled the number of beneficiary pupils under the Ghana School Feeding Programme.
The Akufo-Addo administration, in keeping with its commitment to improving the welfare of schoolchildren, has increased the feeding grant by 20% per child per school day.
To help safeguard the upkeep and future of children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care, we have established the National Adoption Authority to coordinate family-based and institution-based care and to act as an advocate body in the protection and promotion of child rights and the rights of other marginalized groups.
Another innovative social protection safeguard for our children is the introduction of the new National Child Protection tool kit, which has been distributed in over 1,300 communities in Ghana, to help officials and caregivers who work with children to serve their best interests and have the necessary tools at hand to do so.
The welfare of the aged is of paramount importance in the agenda of our government. In that vein, the current government has over the last 3 years demonstrated unquestionable resolve to ensure a decent livelihood for the aged. Improvement in the implementation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is ample proof thereof. Beneficiaries under LEAP now receive support for income-generating activities as opposed to paltry handouts which was previously the case.
Ladies and gentlemen, when we took over from the NDC administration, Public Sector Workers’ Tier 2 pension contributions had been withheld for a long time, further compounding the plight of the aged in a then already-crumbling economy, w)nts)) ak3 kpokpoblibli economy, economy ni mlintsuts). That phenomenon took a toll on our pensions and affected many extended families who have pensioners as breadwinners.
When you voted for us to serve you, we vowed to make these outstanding payments and as I speak, this government has released GHC 3.1 billion in Public Sector Workers’ Tier 2 pension contributions.
To alleviate the plight of the physically challenged, we have focused in our first term to empower them with income earning opportunities by providing them with funds and logistics to lead a more dignified life.
This support includes an increase in the District Assemblies Common Fund allocation for persons with disabilities (PWDs) from 2% to 3%. The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), another enviable flagship policy initiative of the Akufo-Addo led NPP government, has been providing an integrated national support for start-ups and small businesses which includes business development services, startup incubators and funding for young businesses to enable them grow and become successful with special focus on physically challenged beneficiaries.
The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NPCWD) has also received staffing and equipment to enable them collaborate with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) in drafting an Equal Employment Policy to empower PLWD through employment. A disability should not mean poverty or confinement, because disability is not inability!
I am happy to state that the NPP government is committed to providing the necessary tools to make all Ghanaians prosper, regardless of their limitations or abilities.
To that end, government through Ministries, Departments and Agencies is putting in place the system and structures to ensure that indeed NO ONE is left behind.
Indeed, we have a record to be proud of and as we say in Ga, “m)ni k)))tso kpakpa l3, l3 eyis33 atsi)”.
W)shiii mokomoko y3 s33!
4 more 4 Nana!
Ny3 tswa ni omanye aba!
See pictures below:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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