Is social protection in Ghana a right?. Issue 8 (17th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdulai, Abdul-Gafaru; Abubakari, Abdul-Bassit; Martey, Jude
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 29:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1064
• Page End: 1074
• Publication Date: 2019-11-17
• Subjects: Labour and livelihoods – Poverty reduction -- Rights -- Sub-Saharan Africa; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2019.1607825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Through an analysis of Ghana's Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, this article examines the extent to which national governments have embraced the rights-based approach to social assistance. Based on interviews with beneficiary households and policymakers at national and sub-national levels, it finds that although official policy documents depict the LEAP in rights-based terms, beneficiaries see it as a charitable programme. The article concludes that if the LEAP is to play a stronger role in promoting citizenship rights in Ghana, it is important to strengthen district level structures to investigate and redress beneficiaries' complaints in a timely manner.