The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), Augustine Collins Ntim has indicated that the government has secured US$100 million from the World Bank for the Ghana Productive Safety Net Programme (GPSNP) phase II.
He indicated that the second phase of the programme which is part of government’s effort to “create jobs, boost agricultural production, industrial growth and to strengthen safety net system to address the needs of the poor and vulnerable in the society” is expected to cover 100 districts across
country from this year to 2025.
The Deputy of MLGRD was speaking at a sensitisation programme for some selected MDCEs, district planning officers, coordinators, and financials officers in Koforidua last Friday (October 7) on the implementation of the GPSNP.
On the objectives and difference between GPSNP phase 1 and phase, he stated that “the objective of the second phase of GPSNP 2 is to expand and enhance social safety nets that improve the incomes and productivity of the poor in rural and urban areas in Ghana. The key difference between the current GPSNP and GPSNP 2 is the conscious commitment to scale-up to cover urban areas and to expand the scope of the productive Inclusion to cover almost all potential beneficiaries.
“Therefore, amongst the 100 participating Districts, 21 are Municipalities. The Ministry will continue to lead the implementation of Labour-Intensive Public Works Program (LIPW) and Productive Inclusion (PI) components, and the Ministry of Gender Children and Socia will also continue to focus on Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP); Cash Transfers Program and Social Protection System Strengthening”.
He added that the project will directly benefit the poorest households in all administrative regions of Ghana over a four-year period; while it is envisaged that about “100,000 individuals would benefit from the project under the productive inclusion and labor intensive public works and in addition 350,000 households will benefit from the direct cash transfer program that will be implemented by the MoGCSP”.
The beneficiaries according to the Deputy Minister of MLGRD would be selected from the poorest districts and communities using the most updated Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) data available from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
Phase 1 output
Mr Ntim expressed satisfaction for the output gained on first phase output which is expected to end in December this year.
On the specific achievements in the GPSNP phase implemented in 80 Districts, he said “the project components under the Ministry have to date provided enterprise skills training to 21,107 beneficiaries in 331 communities; provided start-up grants cedi equivalent of USD 215 per person 21,107 beneficiaries to establish and run their own small scale micro enterprises, provided mentoring and coaching support to beneficiaries to ensure sustainance of investments; linked 15,926 beneficiaries to Planting for Export and Rural Development; provided short-term employment for 34,555 beneficiaries through the provision of unskilled labour at LIPW subproject sites”.
He added that as part of the success story, government also “rovided 64 feeder roads (251.6 km); 79 small earth dams; 209 planatations totalling 2,022 hectares; distributed 11.4 million cashew, oil palm and coconut seedlings in support of the Government’s Planting for Export and Rural Develpment (PERD) programme; paid a total amount of GHC 91.8 Million directly as grants to
beneficiaries under both the PI and LIPW components; trained 167 Contractor and DA Supervisors in the use of Labour intensive methods for construction, and disbursed USD 30 Million of Project funds of USD 32.0 Million”.
Appreciation
Mr Ntim expressed gratitude to the MDCE’s for their effort and drive to make lives better for their residents.
He urged them to continue to work hard to implement the right policies of government to alleviate poverty and create jobs in their districts.
Picture Caption
Mr Augustine Collins Ntim, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development addressing participants at the sensitisation programme.
