The LEAP, complementing poverty alleviation strategies - Ofori-Addo

from My Joy Online

Mr Lawrence Ofori-Addo, National Co-ordinator of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), said the initiative was aimed at complementing poverty alleviation strategies of the Government.

He said the LEAP was meant to cushion guardians to provide orphans with access to education and healthcare without an excuse of poverty and to empower the old to lead appreciably better lifestyles.

Mr Ofori-Addo said these during the disbursement of funds to 115 beneficiaries of the programme, during the Easter holidays at Jumapo in the New Juaben Municipality.

He debunked the assertion that the programme was designed to score political points for the New Patriotic Party as the 2008 polls approached.

Mr Ofori-Addo said measures had been put in place to prevent the abuse of the programme.

Nana Kwesi Adjei Boateng, the Municipal Chief Executive, said the disbursement of the fund showed the Government's commitment to promoting the wellbeing of the vulnerable and eradicating poverty.

He urged Ghanaians to pay their taxes promptly and regularly to enable the Government to sustain the programme.

Nana Adjei Boateng called on the beneficiaries to use the assistance to expand their businesses.

The beneficiaries were selected from Betom, Zongo, Asokore and Jumapo depending on the criteria set by the organizers of the programme and each received 16 Ghana cedis for March and April.