Accra: The Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), has announced an increase in the grants for beneficiaries under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, effective June 30, 2025. This decision aims to adjust the LEAP cash grant against inflation, thereby gradually reducing the impact of economic shocks on vulnerable households.
According to Ghana News Agency, this 96th payment cycle, covering March and April 2025, marks the beginning of the 'indexation of the LEAP cash grant against inflation.' Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the sector Minister, shared this update during a press conference in Accra, providing insights into the LEAP grant payments.
LEAP, introduced by the Government in 2008, is a cash transfer initiative aimed at alleviating poverty among extremely poor and vulnerable households, facilitating their access to essential services and opportunities. Eligibility for the programme includes households with orphans and vulnerable children, elderly individuals aged 65 and above without support, persons with severe disabilities, and extremely poor pregnant women and lactating mothers with infants under one year.
Dr. Lartey stated that the Government had allocated GHC139,257,363.97 to be distributed among 350,000 LEAP beneficiary households across 260 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The grant for a one-member household has increased from GHC256.00 to GHC320.00, while two-member households will see an increase from GHC304.00 to GHC380.00. Three-member households' grants have risen from GHC352.00 to GHC440.00, and four-member households from GHC424.00 to GHC530.00.
The Minister noted that, in light of the indexation, the government allocated GHC953.5 million to the LEAP Programme in the 2025 Budget, a significant increase from the 2024 allocation of GHC728.8 million. Approval has also been granted to expand the number of beneficiary households from 350,000 to 400,000.
Dr. Lartey highlighted that the ongoing reassessment exercise would help reach the target of 400,000 beneficiary households for future disbursements. She emphasized President John Dramani Mahama's commitment to reducing the cost of living while stimulating Ghana's economic growth and development. The government is also focused on enhancing the real value of the LEAP cash grant, impacting development indicators such as nutrition, health, education, investment, and inclusion in productive activities.
The Minister urged LEAP beneficiary households to prioritize nutrition, children's education, and investments in income-generating activities, while fostering a culture of savings based on household consumption needs and goals. These efforts aim to reduce poverty and fulfill the programme's social protection objectives and related Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Lartey expressed her gratitude to the Programme's partners and the Ministry for their ongoing support and welcomed new partnerships to address coverage gaps. Mr. Myles Ongoh, Head of the LEAP Programme, advised beneficiaries to use the support wisely to improve their lives.
