The government has begun the nationwide disbursement of GH¢139.33 million to more than 350,000 households under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme, offering timely financial relief to vulnerable families ahead of the Christmas season.
The payment, which marks the 99th cycle of LEAP grants, is expected to directly benefit about 350,580 households and impact an estimated 1.5 million people across the country. The bi-monthly transfer exercise officially starts today.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the release of funds underscored government’s renewed commitment to protecting the poorest and most vulnerable members of society through consistent and responsive social protection measures.
She explained that beneficiaries would receive varying grant amounts depending on household size, with payments ranging from GH¢320 for households with one eligible member to GH¢530 for households with four or more eligible beneficiaries.
Dr Lartey said the decision to align the 99th payment cycle with the festive period was deliberate, as low-income households often face heightened financial pressures during Christmas.
“This payment is meant to cushion beneficiary households during the festive season, allowing them to celebrate with dignity and prepare for the New Year with renewed hope,” she said.
She described LEAP as a cornerstone of Ghana’s social protection system, noting that the programme goes beyond cash transfers to represent a social contract between the state and its most vulnerable citizens.
Highlighting government’s long-term commitment, the minister revealed that the Ministry of Finance had allocated GH¢1.1 billion to the LEAP Programme—the highest allocation since its introduction. She credited sustained advocacy by Members of Parliament and development partners for helping to secure the funding.
Looking ahead, Dr Lartey announced plans to expand the programme in 2026 to cover 400,000 households nationwide, a move expected to deepen the programme’s impact on poverty reduction and social inclusion.
She called for stronger collaboration among traditional leaders, religious institutions, civil society organisations and government agencies to ensure transparent beneficiary selection and effective implementation as the programme scales up.
“As we make these payments, we are not just disbursing funds,” Dr Lartey said. “We are reinforcing dignity, sharing hope and affirming government’s solidarity with vulnerable Ghanaians.”
The LEAP Programme remains one of Ghana’s flagship social interventions aimed at reducing extreme poverty and supporting inclusive national development.
