The Member of Parliament for Agotime Ziope, Charles Agbeve, has called for a review of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) policy to ensure the automatic inclusion of vulnerable widows as beneficiaries, stressing that current structures leave many exposed to extreme hardship.
In an exclusive interview, Agbeve noted that while LEAP provides critical social protection, including free National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage for beneficiaries, many widows who clearly fall into vulnerable categories are often left out. He questioned who bears the responsibility for the healthcare needs of such widows when they are not captured under the programme.
According to him, the policy documents guiding LEAP eligibility must be revisited to reflect real-life vulnerabilities within communities. He explained that although categories such as persons living with disabilities, indigents, and mothers of twins and triplets qualify for support, the definition of “indigent” is often too technical and does not adequately reflect the lived conditions of many poor households.
Agbeve argued that widows should be given priority without subjecting them to extensive investigations once their status is confirmed. He suggested that verification by community opinion leaders such as chiefs and assembly members should be sufficient to establish need, especially where widows struggle to cater for their children’s education and basic survival.
He further highlighted the social and cultural challenges widows face, including stigma and restrictions that make remarriage difficult, unlike in the case of widowers who often remarry easily. This, he said, compounds their vulnerability and reinforces the need for targeted advocacy and public education to change societal attitudes towards widows.
The MP stressed that sustained stress, uncertainty, and economic hardship contribute to serious health challenges among widows, including high blood pressure and other stress-related illnesses. He noted that consistent social support through government programmes like LEAP, complemented by NGO interventions, would significantly reduce these burdens and improve their quality of life.
Mr. Agbeve concluded by calling for affirmative action in favour of widows under social protection schemes, describing it as both a moral and developmental imperative. He emphasized that institutionalizing such support would not only protect widows but also strengthen families and communities, ensuring that no vulnerable woman is left behind.
Reporting by Solomon Mensah-Ahiable Volta region
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: atlanticafricanews.com/, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
