Gender Ministry touts gains in LEAP, school feeding and disability support

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Ghana reported significant progress in its interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable and socially excluded groups, presenting their performance at the Government Accountability Series on September 16, 2026. Minister Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey highlighted achievements in school feeding, social protection, disability support, and gender equality.

Under the Ghana School Feeding Programme, the Ministry now supports 4.53 million children daily with hot meals, an increase from 4.03 million in 2024. The coverage of the LEAP (Leveraging Enterprises for Accelerated Productivity) initiative expanded from 350,000 to 450,000 households, with the average grant rising from GH¢360 in 2024 to GH¢569.14 in 2026.

Additionally, 11.24 million people have been profiled under the National Household Registry, enhancing the Ministry's ability to target social protection efforts more effectively.

The Disability Common Fund directly benefited 19,760 persons with disabilities, showcasing a commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals. Dr Lartey emphasized that the Ministry's work is guided by five priority areas: strengthening social protection, advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, protecting children and strengthening families, supporting vulnerable and excluded persons, and combating violence, abuse, and exploitation.

On institutional reforms, the passage of the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148) was noted as a significant step towards establishing a legal framework for coordinating and delivering social protection services. Dr Lartey stressed that the Ministry's performance should be evaluated not only by the number of beneficiaries but also by the tangible impact its interventions have on the lives of individuals and families.

She affirmed that the Ministry will continue to enhance social protection systems and deliver targeted interventions for children, women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable and excluded groups.