Ghana – World Bank Questions Govt’s Poverty Alleviation Policies

The World Bank has questioned the viability of government’s poverty reduction interventions especially those focused on alleviating the plight of head potters also known as Kayayeis.

At a forum to address extreme poverty in Ghana, acting Country Director of World Bank Emmanuel Nkrumah lashed out at government for leaving most of its key development agenda to the private sector who usually are profit oriented.

According to him, government must enforce the already formulated policies and take care of the lower ranks in society.

“In the urban centres, let us come out with a housing policy that will take care of the very lower ranks. There is no point in talking about low income and we do nothing, we have to come out with a scheme so that…the kayayei can get a place to sleep.

“We have so many laws and institutions, we have so many policies [but] are we enforcing them. Unless we enforce them and ensure that they are working for the low income people we will always come and celebrate anniversaries and talk about issues.

“The time has come for us to talk about pragmatic solutions…let the Works and Housing Minister come and tell the country that this particular one [policy] is targeted at this people,” Mr. Nkrumah said.

The Kayayei Association has also endorsed the position of the World Bank adding that they are not consulted when policies are being formulated for them. A case they say is a reason for government’s failure to address their issues.

Meanwhile, The Gender Ministry which spearheads most of government’s social intervention programmes agrees, most policy initiatives, were not target oriented.

Source: Starrfmonline.com