Akatsi South Assembly suspends Acting Social Welfare Director over delayed LEAP payments

The Akatsi South Municipal Assembly has suspended its Acting Director of Social Welfare, Felix Sagah, following allegations that allowances for the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme were not paid to focal persons who assisted in the identification and re‑enrolment of vulnerable beneficiaries. The decision came after a petition by affected focal persons, who are also Assembly Members, claiming unpaid allowances totalling GH₵34,100 for 341 individuals who participated in the April 2026 exercise.

Speaking on the matter, Akatsi South Municipal Chief Executive Daniel Dagba disclosed that Sagah had informed the Assembly that the funds were on his E‑Zwich card and that he intended to withdraw and disburse them within two weeks. “April passed, May passed, and we are now in June,” Dagba stated, noting that despite repeated assurances, the payments had not been made.

The Assembly subsequently invited Sagah to respond to the allegations. During that meeting, he indicated that he had begun paying the beneficiaries. The Assembly quickly suspended him and asked him to step aside, Dagba said. A committee chaired by the Internal Auditor has been constituted to investigate the matter, verify payment records and determine whether the focal persons received their allowances.

This incident echoes broader concerns about the implementation of LEAP, Ghana’s flagship social cash transfer programme. Earlier this year, the government announced the enrolment of 400,000 new households onto the programme, as detailed in our report Govt begins enrolment of 400,000 new households onto LEAP Programme. Such expansions underscore the programme’s growing importance in poverty alleviation, but also highlight the logistical and administrative challenges that accompany scaling up.

Monitoring and accountability mechanisms are critical to maintaining public trust in LEAP. The Gender Ministry’s oversight of the 100th cycle of LEAP payments nationwide, covered in our story Gender Ministry monitors 100th cycle of LEAP payments nationwide, demonstrates the routine checks intended to ensure timely disbursements. Yet the Akatsi South case suggests that gaps persist at the district level, where oversight may be weaker and communication between assemblies and beneficiaries can break down.

If the investigative committee is unable to verify that payments were made, Sagah will be required to ensure that the outstanding GH₵34,100 is paid to the affected focal persons. Dagba emphasized that the committee will invite the Assembly Members to provide evidence in support of their claims, and that the process will begin this week.

The suspension serves as a reminder that effective social protection depends not only on policy design and funding but also on rigorous execution at the local level. As Ghana continues to expand LEAP and other social interventions, strengthening district‑level capacity, improving transparency in fund flows, and reinforcing accountability structures will be essential to ensure that the most vulnerable actually receive the support intended for them.

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