Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba, has highlighted the significant progress her Ministry has achieved over the past four years.

Speaking during a live appearance on Radio Mano in Kasama, Ms. Mwamba said the Ministry has recorded tremendous achievements across all its departments, namely Social Welfare, Child Development, Community Development, and the Registrar for NGOs.

Among the notable milestones, she mentioned the upscaling of Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries from 894, 608 to the current 1.3 million and announced intentions to increase it further.

On Security Pack programme, Ms. Mwamba noted that beneficiaries have made remarkable progress in yields, thanks to the Government’s consistent provision of fertilizer and farming inputs twice a year to support both wetland and rain-fed farming activities.

She commended the improved payback rates from beneficiaries, describing them as a testament to the reciprocal approach that has positively transformed communities.

The Minister also highlighted the enhancement of digital payments for the Social Cash Transfer programme, while acknowledging challenges related to internet connectivity, which she said the Government is urgently working to address.

On child welfare, Ms. Mwamba pointed to the enactment of the Children’s Code Act, passed shortly after the Government assumed office as a game-changer in addressing child-related issues, including early and forced marriages, through a stronger legal framework.

“We, as Government, are determined to end hunger in this country because the trajectory looks very good considering the economic fundamentals at play,” she said.

Meanwhile, residents from Northern Province who contributed to the programme testified that the Ministry’s social protection interventions have had a profound and positive impact on their lives.