The Government of Ghana plans to expand the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to 400,000 households in 2026, representing an almost 14% increase from the current 350,580 households benefiting nationwide.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, during a press briefing in Accra on Friday, December 19, 2025, as she confirmed the commencement of the 99th cycle of LEAP cash grant payments.
According to the Minister, a total of GH¢139,329,463.37 has been released for the current disbursement, with payments beginning nationwide on Monday, December 22, 2025. The funds will support approximately 1.5 million Ghanaians, underscoring LEAP’s role as one of the country’s largest social protection programmes.
Dr. Lartey described LEAP as a flagship intervention and a central pillar of the government’s Reset Agenda, aimed at improving the livelihoods of extremely poor and vulnerable households. She explained that the bi-monthly cash grants are structured based on household size, with beneficiaries receiving between GH¢320 and GH¢530 to support basic needs such as food, healthcare and education-related expenses.
Beyond the immediate disbursement, the Minister highlighted a significant fiscal commitment to the programme, revealing that the Ministry of Finance has allocated GH¢1.1 billion to LEAP, the highest budgetary allocation since the programme was introduced. She said the increased funding reflects government’s determination to strengthen social protection systems and reduce extreme poverty.
The planned expansion in 2026 would add 49,420 new households to the programme, further widening its reach across the country. Dr. Lartey also called on traditional authorities, faith-based organisations, civil society groups and development partners to support the effective implementation and sustainability of the initiative.
She commended staff of the Ministry, the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly levels, Community Focal Persons, payment service providers, development partners and Members of Parliament for their continued support, reaffirming government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of poor and vulnerable households nationwide.
