LEAP coverage expands to 450,000 households as grant rates increase – Gender Minister

The government has expanded the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to reach up to 450,000 households, accompanied by revised grant rates. This expansion comes after a thorough assessment of current beneficiaries using data from the Ghana National Household Registry. The exercise helped identify households still eligible for assistance and those who have left extreme poverty.

According to Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, the average LEAP grant has risen considerably since 2024. The programme now functions using an indexation mechanism that safeguards the grant's value against inflation. Moreover, the programme's ceiling has been raised from 350,000 to 450,000 households.

Beneficiaries now receive different amounts based on household size and the presence of a vulnerable member. For households with one or two members, the grant stands at GH¢392 or GH¢380 per bi-monthly cycle, depending on whether a vulnerable member is present. Those with three to four members receive GH¢474 or GH¢452, while households with five or more members get GH¢630 or GH¢594, again contingent on the presence of a vulnerable member.

The first and second payment cycles of 2026 commenced on September 14, with both cycles paid simultaneously. Dr Lartey encouraged beneficiaries to reach out to the LEAP Management Secretariat at 0303 969 399 or dial the toll-free numbers 0800 800 800 and 0800 900 900 for enrollment or grievance-related assistance.