Ministry of Gender Expands LEAP Program as Cardinal Turkson Champions Social Cohesion for Development

In a concerted effort to bolster social welfare and national cohesion, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has intensified its outreach in the Northern Region, while Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson has issued a powerful call for diversity to be harnessed for community development. These parallel developments highlight a dual approach to addressing Ghana's socio-economic challenges, combining targeted government interventions with moral leadership aimed at fostering peace and justice across diverse communities.

Speaking at a sensitisation forum in Zoggu, Nanton District, the Director of Social Protection, Madam Francisca Atuluk, announced a significant expansion of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme. The initiative has successfully increased its reach from 350,000 to 400,000 beneficiary households. This expansion is coupled with structural reforms designed to assist larger households and adjust to inflationary pressures, ensuring that the country’s most vulnerable populations receive adequate support. The forum also addressed critical social issues, including child protection, human trafficking, and mental health, aiming to bridge the information gap in remote communities.

Complementing these state efforts, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson addressed the Pastoral Congress of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, urging Ghanaians to view cultural and ethnic diversity as a fundamental strength rather than a source of division. Marking the diocese's 120th anniversary, the Cardinal emphasized that the Holy Spirit unites diverse groups while preserving their unique identities. He called on the faithful to leverage their God-given talents to promote justice and development, particularly in the face of contemporary challenges such as economic inequality and social fragmentation.

Both events underscored the necessity of collaborative efforts to tackle emerging social threats. In Zoggu, experts such as Clinical Health Psychologist Mr. Peter Mintir Amadu noted that while awareness of substance abuse is rising, more intensive efforts are required to curb its impact on the youth. By aligning social protection policies with a strong communal ethos of unity and service, stakeholders aim to create a more resilient social fabric capable of sustaining long-term growth and protecting the rights of all citizens across the Northern and Upper East regions.