As part of efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme, the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, in collaboration with the Asutifi North District Assembly, organised a training session for LEAP Community Focal Persons. The training was held on July 9th 2025 at the District Assembly Conference Hall, Kenyasi.
The objective of the training was to build the capacity of the community focal persons to effectively support the identification, monitoring, and reporting of LEAP beneficiaries at the community level. These focal persons serve as the vital link between beneficiary households and the District LEAP Implementation Team.
Overview of the LEAP Programme and its objectives, Roles and responsibilities of community focal persons, Beneficiary targeting, enrollment, and verification processes, Complaint and grievance mechanisms, Use of reporting tools and community feedback channels, and Coordination with local leadership and stakeholders are the key topics covered.
Officers from the Department of Social Welfare and the LEAP Implementation Team facilitated the session. Practical exercises and role-plays reinforced understanding of community-level responsibilities. The District Director of Social Welfare, Ms Monica Osei Mensah, emphasised the importance of community participation and transparency in the delivery of the LEAP programme. She urged the focal persons to act with integrity, fairness, and compassion in discharging their duties.
The training concluded with an open forum where participants shared field experiences and concerns. Suggestions were made on how to improve communication flow and ensure the timely resolution of issues affecting beneficiaries.
The training equipped focal persons with the knowledge and skills needed to support effective LEAP implementation, enhance community monitoring, and improve service delivery to the most vulnerable households in the Asutifi North District.