Abstract:
This study explores the socio-cultural impact and sustainability of the
Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme in Navrongo.
LEAP was introduced in Ghana in 2007/8 as a public social protection policy
to provide basic and secure incomes, aimed at salvaging and protecting the
poor and vulnerable in society against global and local livelihood shocks due
to declining resources, the negative impact of economic policies and the
gradual erosion of socio-cultural support systems. Earlier interventions had
minimal impact owing to less immersion of culture as key to innovative
development thinking. Four (4) communities, 200 beneficiaries and 17
officials were purposively selected to participate. Pragmatism is the main
philosophical anchorage of the study which employed mixed methods;
utilizing exploratory-descriptive case studies and surveys including sequential
triangulation and convergent designs. Descriptive quantitative data from
structured questionnaires were analysed using the IBN - SPSS software
programme. Data from interviews, focus group discussions, observation and
content materials were analysed thematically and qualitatively. Drawing from
functionalism and conservative-liberal continuum theories, the study found
Upper East and Upper West Regions as the first pilot household registries;
widows and orphaned children were the poorest found in households of six
and seven members; culture impacted positively on beneficiaries‟ lifestyles as
it ensured peace, social inclusion, and financial satisfaction. However, the cost
of maintaining funerals was seen as a negative cultural issue. Many
respondents depended heavily on inadequate LEAP benefits, while some
relied on farming and rearing animals as a means of generating additional
income. The study recommends among others that government should
increase the benefits and identify beneficiaries with capabilities and settle
them independently.
