Effects of livelihood empowerment against poverty (leap) on persons with disability in Effutu municipality

Abstract

The main problem investigated was effects of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme on persons with disability in the Effutu Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. The main objectives were to explore effects of LEAP on household food consumption, healthcare services, school enrolment and retention and challenges the programme faced in the Municipality. The methodology used for the study was qualitative research approach with a phenomenological design and applied two sampling methods which are purposive and convenient to select participants for the study. It used a sample size of 14 participants consist of six (6) LEAP Managers/ one (1) Focal Person and seven (7) LEAP PWD beneficiaries. The data collection instruments were semi-structured interview guide and focus group discussion guide (FGD). The data was presented in grid tables where responses of participants were matched with themes. The main findings were that 57 percent of LEAP PWD beneficiaries had no worry about food/feeding; 79 percent used NHIS cards to access healthcare services while 29 percent paid with their LEAP cash. It further revealed that 64 percent of LEAP PWD beneficiaries‘ children were in school. The study further determined that the challenges faced by LEAP Managers/Focal Person were logistics and financial; while LEAP PWD beneficiaries‘ experienced technical challenges e.g. malfunctioning of e-zwich cards/machines. The main recommendations were that Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) must ensure LEAP cash is paid on time. Also, LEAP Managers/Bank Officials must use the unique code of beneficiaries to facilitate payment.