They said inaccessible payment points, and misconceptions about the selection of LEAP beneficiaries resulting in they being tagged as supporters of the ruling party were some of the challenges affecting the effective implementation of the LEAP programme in the District.

This came to light during community LEAP fora and score card processes in 21 communities organised by NORSAAC, a non-governmental organisation, as part of the implementation of its Grassroot Rising for Enhanced LEAP (GREL) project.

GREL is a year’s project being implemented by NORSAAC with funding from Christian Aid, and it seeks to advocate for citizens’ monitoring of the implementation of the LEAP programme in all the 21 beneficiary communities in the district to ensure efficiency and success.

Ms Nancy Yeri, a Project Officer at NORSAAC, who facilitated the fora, summed up the challenges of the beneficiaries in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Zakpalsi, a suburb of Mion, where one of the fora was held.

Ms Yeri said the fora were held to create awareness on the LEAP programme to increase citizen’s participation in the implementation. Mr Mohammed Nassan, one of the prospective beneficiaries of LEAP at Zakpalsi community, appealed to government to increase the amount of money paid to beneficiaries under the LEAP programme to enable them cover their basic needs.Currently, one beneficiary household receives GHC 64, two beneficiary household receives GHC 76, three beneficiary household receives GHC 88 whiles four or more beneficiary household receives GHC 106 under the LEAP programme after every two months.

Mr Nassan, who has an eight-member family, said he expects to receive a substantial amount to start a trade to be able to cater for his family.  Ms Asia Awal, also a prospective beneficiary of LEAP at Zakpalsi community, hoped to save part of the LEAP stipend and invest it in a trade to sustain her family.  Meanwhile NORSAAC also organised a refresher course for LEAP community focal persons on their roles and responsibilities in ensuring proper implementation of the LEAP at Sang in the Mion District.