The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) states that linking Ghana’s Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme with the Productive Inclusion Initiative (PII) could reduce extreme poverty by 2.5 percentage points by 2030.
UNICEF urges the government to ensure social protection laws provide real support for vulnerable households.
This call was made during the launch of the Social Protection Act, 2025, and related regulations in Accra on October 7, 2026.
UNICEF welcomed the Act’s focus on coordination and complementarity. Stronger links between social protection programmes can help address challenges faced by vulnerable families.
“We have evidence that when paired, LEAP and PII can reduce extreme poverty by two and a half percentage points by 2030,” UNICEF stated.
The organization illustrated this need with an example of a young mother. Her household struggles with limited income and high costs of essential services.
“She may be struggling with her income but also with nutritious food, health care, child care, education, and employment,” UNICEF explained.
This example shows how vulnerable households face interconnected challenges that cash assistance alone may not resolve fully.
The Social Protection Act provides for social assistance and insurance. It establishes institutional arrangements and creates a social protection fund.
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang urged stakeholders to address gaps limiting access to social protection programmes. This ensures assistance reaches intended beneficiaries.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is responsible for implementing these frameworks.
Sector Minister Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey assured effective implementation and monitoring to alleviate poverty. She emphasized improving livelihoods through clear communication about the laws.
Dr Lartey stated that the ministry would make laws accessible through simple language and local translations. Outreach will occur across regions to help citizens understand their rights and responsibilities.
“We will support institutions by providing guidance, practical tools, reporting templates, and training for officers applying these rules daily,” she said.
She added that the ministry would strengthen data systems for fair beneficiary targeting. Improving governance of the social protection fund is also a priority. Accessible complaint channels will be established for citizen trust.
These frameworks aim to enhance delivery of social protection programmes. They seek to ensure support reaches those who need it most.
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