In a significant legislative move, Ghana’s Parliament has passed the Social Protection Bill of 2025, which provides a comprehensive legal framework for the establishment of a Social Protection Fund. The bill aims to improve the accessibility and equity of social services for the nation’s underprivileged and most vulnerable citizens. This fund is designed to provide financial resources for the management of emergencies and to ensure the sustainable delivery of critical social protection initiatives.
The passage of the bill followed a report presented by the Chairperson of the Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Helen Adjoa Ntoso. She highlighted the necessity of a legal framework to ensure accountability and equitable service delivery to the socially disadvantaged. According to Ntoso, the legislation will establish institutional frameworks to support economically handicapped individuals and those affected by national or local emergencies, offering them greater protection and stability.
The new fund will provide backing for a number of key government social programs that are integral to the country’s welfare system. These include the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program, the Ghana School Feeding Programme, Basic Education Capitation Grants, and the National Health Insurance Exemption scheme. By providing a dedicated financial and legal structure, the bill seeks to strengthen and streamline these crucial initiatives, which have historically faced challenges related to funding and implementation.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, underscored the importance of the new law. She stated that the bill will “give legal backing and strengthen regulations of many social intervention initiatives in the country.” The passage of this bill is seen as a major step by the John Dramani Mahama administration toward institutionalizing long-term social welfare support and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive consistent and reliable assistance.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
