Manifesto Brief on Social Protection

Penplusbytes’ Manifesto Brief for 12^th November, 2016: Focus on Social Protection

NDC: An Additional 30% Increase of the District Assemblies Common Fund Reserved For Persons with Disability To Cater For Their Free NHIS Subscription

The allocation of 3% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) has undoubtedly provided some relief to this vulnerable group in Ghana. Other ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the conditions of PWDs include the attempt to mainstream issues of disability into the development process in line with the Disability Act which mandates the National Council on Persons with Disability to promote the participation of PWDs in national development. There is also a deliberate targeting of PWDs as presidential nominees at the District Assembly.

The promise to increase by 30%, the PWDs’ share of the DACF to be dedicated to free National Health Insurance Scheme subscription is commendable because, in most cases, the PWDs’ share of the fund is shared as stipends rather than investing it in gainful economic ventures that can transform their lives.

NPP: Set Aside 50% of MASLOC Funds for Female Applicants

Ghana has about 80 % of its workers in the informal sector. Women who constitute the majority in the informal sector and are found in economic activities such as fish mongering, petty trading and farming, among others, have made tremendous contribution to the economy of Ghana since independence. Since the establishment of the Microfinance and Small Loans Center [MASLOC] in Ghana, a lot of financial support has been given to many Ghanaians, including women in the informal sector.

Given that women constitute the majority in the informal sector which faces challenges in accessing loans from the banks because of the itinerant nature of activities in this sector, setting aside 50% of the MASLOC funds for women would not be a bad idea as it would further build on the gains that have been made so far. However, key challenges that must be confronted include the political tag that hangs around MASLOC as many Ghanaians hold the perception that only members of governing political parties are considered for MASLOC facilities. In addition, access to the fund involves a very cumbersome procedure beginning with a written application. There is therefore the need to put in place measures to assist women, majority of who are not literate to be able to access the fund. However, this must not be done at the expense of men who equally need financial support in the informal sector.

CPP: Set up an expert panel to review all scientific and social research conducted in Ghana over the years to determine what can be used in policy making and national development

Research plays a critical role in the development process of every country. However, it is believed many research reports, most of which have been conducted with the support of the tax payers’ money are gathering dust on many shelves. The popular assumption is that, many of these research findings could contain the blue print for Ghana’s development. When the findings and the recommendations are put into actions, the myriad of problems that Ghana is currently confronted with would be solved.

 

Though an arduous task, this manifesto promise draws attention once against, to the important role research can play in Ghana’s development. Whether it is the CPP which gets the levers of power in the next elections or not, there is the need to attach a lot of importance to research in Ghana’s development agenda.

 

This Manifesto brief is made possible with funding from the American Embassy, NED, INDIGO Trust & GOGIG