The Government of Ghana has begun the 98th cycle of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) cash grant payments, providing critical financial support to vulnerable households across the country.

According to the minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, a total of 350,580 households — representing over 1.5 million individuals — will benefit from the current disbursement.

The Minister outlined that cash grants will vary depending on household size, with beneficiaries receiving between GHS320 and GHS520. Specifically, households with one eligible member will receive GHS320, those with two will get GHS380, three members GHS440, and four or more members GHS 520.

Dr Lartey emphasised that beyond the cash support, the LEAP initiative was now focusing on human capital development, with productive inclusion, technical assistance, and skills training to help households achieve self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

In a bid to protect the value of grants against inflation, the government is also implementing indexation, linking payments to inflation trends.

The minister expressed gratitude to President John Mahama for his leadership and commitment to social protection, noting that the passage of the Social Protection Bill into law marks a major milestone in institutionalising social safety programmes.

Looking ahead, the ministry plans to expand LEAP coverage to 400,000 households by the end of 2025. It is also introducing multiple cash-out options in partnership with the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System to improve accessibility and promote financial inclusion.

Dr Lartey reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity, urging beneficiaries to participate in reassessment and verification exercises, and encouraging the public to report any misconduct.

She commended the media and stakeholders for their continued support in sustaining the success of the LEAP programme, describing it as a cornerstone of Ghana’s social protection framework, anchored by the newly enacted Social Protection Act.