Tamale, July 2, GNA - The government is to increase the coverage of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to enable more people including senior citizens to benefit from it. More districts would also be added to the 76 districts nation-wide which are already covered by the programme.

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, the Northern Regional Minister, said this at a luncheon held for senior citizens in the Northern Region on Thursday to mark Republic Day.

He said 200 people from 13 districts in the region were benefiting from the package and the government was also committed to the passage of the National Social Welfare Draft Bill into law to ensure adequate protection for the aged and the vulnerable.

The Regional Minister said the implementation of a new pension scheme and the restructuring of the SSNIT pension scheme were efforts geared at enhancing retirement benefits for people who had contributed to the country's growth.

Mr. Mabengba appealed to the senior citizens to share their experiences and wise counsel on pertinent issues affecting the development of the country with the government while also inculcating in the youth the positive attributes such as discipline and patriotism. He also appealed to the senior citizens to participate fully in the on-going constitutional review process. "You have seen it all as far as the existence of different constitutions in this country is concerned. You should therefore make available your opinions and suggestions if any, on sections of our current constitution to the committee for consideration. This way we shall be helping to build a stronger democracy and prosperity for our children", Mr. Mabengba said. The senior citizens were presented with some gifts.