Assessing the Effectiveness of Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty to the Reduction of Child Labour in the Ningo-Prampram District

Abstract

The study investigated accessing the effectiveness of livelihood empowerment against poverty to the reduction of child labour in the Ningo-Prampram District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Using a written questionnaire and an open-ended interview guide, the researcher surveyed a sample population of 120 respondents and investigated the effectiveness of livelihood empowerment against poverty to the reduction of child labour in Ningo-Prampram District. The study employed the mixed method to elicit answers from 130 respondents but has to work with 120 respondents whose questionnaires were returned based on the nature of the study area. Significant information was gathered through structured and unstructured, interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Data was collected using a self-developed structured questionnaire and was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively using descriptive statistics. The study found that the disbursement of LEAP grants in the Ningo-Prampram District is affected by payment by proxy and the late arrival of the grants. It also found out that child labour incidents among LEAP beneficiaries have decreased impressively. The study, suggests that the Department of Social Welfare should try to adopt strategies that will help in the prompt disbursement of funds other than delaying in its disbursement. Once beneficiaries are verified and selected, the department should aid in opening individual bank accounts for them for easy accessibility of funds and financial inclusion. The queueing at the designated collection points physically and economically inconvenient the aged and severely disabled, considering the fundament conditions of eligibility (impoverishment and vulnerability) to the LEAP grant. The study further recommends however that the Social Welfare Department should intensify sensitization programs as well as monitoring and evaluation to enhance beneficiaries’ knowledge on the objectives of the LEAP grant to ensure maximum compliance to these objectives. KEYWORDS: Child Labour, Empowerment, Livelihood, Poverty.