LEAP to cover 150,000 beneficiaries by December

The Government has completed financial arrangements with other donor partners to increase the beneficiaries of LEAP from the current 90,000 to 150,000 by the end of the year

Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection made this known when she addressed separate functions at the President Mahama's maiden edition of Easter celebration with People with Disabilities (PWDs) at Agona Swedru and Agona Kwanyako, both in the Central Region.

She said the government would do everything possible to reduce abject poverty facing vulnerable people within the society, hence the increase in the number of LEAP beneficiaries.

The Minister said the government would not turn its back to the pro-poor, and appealed to Ghanaians to exercise restraint to enable the government to address the economic challenges facing the nation.

According to the Minister, the Easter Celebration with PWDs by the President was one of the initiatives by President Mahama, to ensure that they were not neglected.

Over one thousand, five hundred PWDs in the Agona West Municipality and Agona East District were given bags of rice; second-hand cloths and soft drinks, to enable them enjoy the Easter,

Nana Oye Lithur stated that her Ministry has inaugurated the Board for the National Council on Persons With Disabilities to help address challenges of PWDs in the country.

She said the National Council was drafting a Legislative Instrument (LI) for the Disability ACT to promote the development of disability sports in Ghana.

Mr Acquinas Tawiah Quansah, Central Regional Minister said the Easter party organized by the President for persons with disabilities was the beginning of good things to come in the lives of PWDs in the country.

He said the party would not be organized during Easter alone, but it would be extended into the Christmas holidays.

The Central Regional Minister gave the assurance that the abandoned School Complex project for the School for Deaf in the Agona West Municipality would be completed to enhance effective teaching and learning.

Mr Samuel Oppong, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Agona West said plans were far advanced to assist PWDs to undertake income-generating ventures to improve their lot.

Among dignitaries present were Mrs Queenster Pokuaa Sawyer, Deputy Central Regional Minister and MP for Agona East, Mr Charles Obeng-Inkoom MP for Agona West and Mr Bernard Allotey Jacobs, Central Regional Chairman of National Democratic Congress.