Former Gender Minister, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo says the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration will introduce a special Emergency Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, the former minister mentioned that the NDC’s decision to add the promise to their People’s Manifesto was premised on the devastating effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the livelihoods of the poor and needy in society.

She stated that this special Emergency LEAP Fund would serve as a cushion for deprived homes during times of disaster and unexpected adverse situations.

“So now we’re going to have a special Emergency LEAP programme so that in case we have a humanitarian crises, in case we have an emergency disaster, be it a human disaster or through the vagaries of the weather, the government has a plan in place and the government moves into action so that we don’t have what occurred; the disorganized approach that occurred during the Covid lockdown,” she said.

In addition to that, the next NDC administration will also introduce a Coastal Beneficiary programme, akin to the LEAP programme in view of the increasing poverty levels along Ghana’s coastlines.

“Now when you look at our manifesto you realise that we also have a coastal beneficiary or LEAP-like programme because of the poverty rates. Now [the] Central Region is one of the top 5 regions in terms of poverty and when you look across the coast, we have increased poverty levels.

“So we’re also looking at the livelihood, we’re looking at artisanal fishing and across the coastline, we’re looking at a livelihood empowerment programme," she added.