Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, led by Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has announced a substantial increase in funding and cash grants for the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program.
The government has allocated GHC 953.5 million to the LEAP program in the 2025 budget, marking a significant increase from the 2024 allocation of GHC 728.8 million.¹
The cash grant amounts have also been increased, with beneficiary households receiving:
- GHC 320, for one eligible member, up from GHC 256
- GHC 380, for two eligible members, up from GHC 304
- GHC 440, for three eligible members, up from GHC 352
- GHC 530, for four or more eligible members, up from GHC 424
The government has approved an increase in the number of beneficiary households from 350,000 to 400,000. An ongoing reassessment exercise is expected to assist in achieving this target. In the current disbursement cycle, the government has released GHC 139,257,363.90, which will be disbursed to 350,000 beneficiary households nationwide.
Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey urged beneficiaries to prioritize household nutrition, children’s education, and investment, and to adopt a saving culture. She expressed gratitude to the government, led by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for their continuous support and fulfillment of promises to the people of Ghana.
The LEAP program targets extremely poor households with vulnerable members, including:
- Orphans and vulnerable children.
- The elderly.
- Persons with severe disability.
- Extremely poor pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The program aims to provide social protection and contribute to the realization of related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Ministry welcomes additional partnerships to address gaps in the coverage of the LEAP program.