Community Experiences with Cash Transfers in Relation to Five SDGs: Exploring Evidence from Ghana’s Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme

Abstract

Social protection, which includes cash transfers, is a policy response addressing poverty and vulnerability. This paper examines the effects of cash transfers, in particular Ghana’s LEAP Programme, on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper examines the transformative potential of cash transfers by focusing on subjective, relational and psychosocial effects in addition to the reduction in poverty and vulnerability. The paper argues that giving the LEAP cash alone is not sufficient to address long-term poverty, but it is a necessary condition to serve as an instrument for social and economic transformation. Using a qualitative exploratory research design involving 20 in-depth interviews and seven focus group discussions, participants reported that LEAP cash had made them better off in both material and psychological dimensions of poverty, increased food security and nutrition and removed financial barriers to access health care. The cash capacitated women in decision-making, and strengthened peaceful co-existence both at family and community level. However, the LEAP may engender intra-community tensions emanating from sentiments of jealousy and perceived unfairness in the selection of beneficiaries.