The government has disbursed GH¢139.33 million under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to support 350,580 vulnerable households across the country, benefiting an estimated 1.5 million people.
The announcement was made in Accra by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, during a press briefing.
She explained that the payment constitutes the 96th cycle of LEAP cash grant disbursements, a social intervention designed to provide regular financial assistance to extremely poor and vulnerable households in order to cushion them against economic hardship.
According to the minister, increased allocations in the 2025 national budget have significantly strengthened the programme and created room for expanded coverage.
Figures contained in the 2025 Budget Statement show that funding for LEAP rose from approximately GH¢728.8 million in 2024 to GH¢953.5 million this year.
Ms Lartey noted that the enhanced budgetary support will enable the programme to reach more households, with government targeting an expansion to about 400,000 households in subsequent payment cycles.
She said beneficiaries of LEAP include households caring for orphans and vulnerable children, elderly persons aged 65 years and above without caregivers, persons with severe disabilities who are unable to work, as well as extremely poor pregnant and lactating women with infants.
The LEAP programme, implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, provides cash transfers aimed at improving living standards, supporting basic needs such as nutrition, health and education, and encouraging small-scale income-generating activities.
The minister stressed that the increased investment reflects government’s resolve to deepen social protection, reduce inequality and improve the overall welfare of Ghana’s most vulnerable populations.
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