Ghana has launched a National Shock-Responsive Social Protection Strategy aimed at safeguarding vulnerable populations from economic, health, and climate-related shocks.
The initiative, unveiled in Accra on Wednesday, seeks to transform existing social protection programs into a proactive and adaptive system capable of anticipating and responding to crises.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey highlighted the urgency of the strategy, citing recent disasters such as the 2023 Akosombo Dam spillage, which displaced over 30,000 people, and 2024 northern floods that affected about 70,000 households. Prolonged dry spells also impacted over 214,000 beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme.
“These incidents underscore the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related shocks and their disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable,” Dr. Lartey said. She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had further revealed structural weaknesses in Ghana’s social protection system, particularly its limited capacity to rapidly support affected informal-sector populations.
The new strategy introduces a coherent national framework to guide Ghana in anticipating risks, preparing for emergencies, responding quickly during crises, and supporting recovery efforts in a coordinated and inclusive manner. It includes standard operating procedures and implementation plans to ensure swift, large-scale interventions that protect both lives and livelihoods.
Mrs Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, a member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection, described the policy as timely and necessary, noting that global and domestic crises exposed gaps in existing social protection systems that worsened vulnerabilities. Mrs Mariam W. A. Kpakpah, Chief Director of the Ministry, emphasized the importance of partnerships to ensure that support reaches those most in need.
Ghana’s social protection system has already achieved significant gains through programs such as LEAP and the Ghana School Feeding Programme, which have reduced extreme poverty and improved access to basic needs. However, a 2023 assessment revealed challenges including limited data coverage, financing constraints, and weak coordination—issues the new strategy aims to address.
Stakeholders, including Parliament, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the implementation of the strategy, emphasizing that a resilient social protection system is vital not only for social welfare but also for national stability and sustainable development.
