Breaking cycle of poverty: A collective responsibility

“Poor people are not statistics or news headlines. They are individuals with hopes, dreams and aspirations. Poverty is not natural.

 It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings." — Nelson Mandela.

Today marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by millions worldwide.

This day serves as a call to action, urging governments, organisations and individuals to confront the complex issue of poverty in order to work towards its eradication.

Poverty's insidious grasp extends far beyond mere financial struggles.

It is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that robs individuals of their dignity, forcing them to endure inadequate housing, limited access to nutritious food, poor health care, hazardous working conditions, unequal access to justice and the lack of political power.

These injustices perpetuate inequality, denying people their basic human rights and opportunities for self-improvement.

The faces of poverty are diverse and numerous.

The working poor toil in precarious jobs and struggle to make ends meet. Families are forced to choose between food and other essentials. Individuals and families lack safe shelter, while entire communities are excluded from access to health care, education and justice.

Here in Ghana, poverty remains a pervasive challenge, with nearly 20 per cent of the population living below the poverty line.

Rural communities bear the brunt, with limited access to basic services such as health care, education and sanitation. The country's economic growth has not translated into equitable distribution of wealth, exacerbating income inequality.

Successive governments have launched initiatives aimed at poverty reduction, such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, which is still being implemented, and the Ghana Productive Safety Net Programme, which provide tailored support to the poorest households in the country to address the demand-side constraints to accessing services that would strengthen their productivity.

However, more needs to be done to address the systemic issues driving poverty.
One key area of focus is education.

The country’s education system faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortage and limited access to quality education, particularly in rural areas.

The deficits in educational infrastructure and other inputs directly impact the quality of educational outcomes. That is why improving education outcomes is crucial towards equipping Ghanaians with the skills needed to break the cycle of poverty.

In fact, education forms the foundation of structured and conscious development, and underpins all policy initiatives intended to drive the effort to overcome poverty.

Civil society organisations and community groups also play a vital role in combating poverty.

Organisations such as the Ghana Anti-Poverty Civil Society Organisations Network and the Foundation for Integrated Rural Development have made significant strides in advocating policy changes and providing support to marginalised communities.

Their efforts demonstrate the power of collective action in eradicating poverty.

To eradicate poverty, we must address its root causes. This requires implementing policies that promote fair wages and social protection, providing access to quality education and vocational training, ensuring universal access to health care and nutritious food, and fostering inclusive societies that combat discrimination and inequality.

Ultimately, it means providing a source of livelihood for the average person that translates into access to other critical facilities and amenities, including shelter and health care.

It is also important for governments and institutions that are responsible for state spending and economic management to stay true to the people as their actions and inaction have far-reaching consequences on the vulnerable and poor in society.

On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we are called to action. We must listen to the stories of those living in poverty, support organisations working to alleviate poverty, demand policy changes that address the root causes of poverty, and recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every individual.

Together, we can break the cycle of poverty. Let us recommit to creating a world where everyone has access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.