The Government of Ghana has begun enrolling 400,000 newly eligible households into the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme, marking the largest single expansion of the country’s flagship social intervention initiative since its launch in 2008.
The nationwide onboarding exercise, launched by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, follows a comprehensive reassessment conducted through the Ghana National Household Registry (GNHR). Officials say the exercise aims to improve targeting accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in delivering social assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations.
220,000 Households to Transition Out
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the expansion as “a clear statement of commitment, reform and hope.”
She explained that poverty remains dynamic, with households moving in and out of vulnerability due to economic shocks, illness, job losses, and climate-related challenges. Consequently, while 400,000 new households will be onboarded, approximately 220,520 households that have improved their conditions or met graduation criteria will transition out of the programme.
Strict Verification Process
Dr. Lartey announced that the onboarding exercise began on April 27, 2026, and will involve strict validation of beneficiary data, registration onto secure payment platforms, and verification processes to ensure accuracy and accountability. She stressed that payments to new beneficiaries will only commence after enrolment procedures are fully completed.
The LEAP Programme, introduced in 2008, provides financial support to extremely poor and vulnerable households, including older persons without support, orphans and vulnerable children, persons with severe disabilities, and pregnant women and mothers with infants. The programme had grown from just 1,654 households in 21 districts at its inception to about 350,000 households nationwide prior to the latest reassessment.
Support for Exiting Households
Dr. Lartey outlined government plans to support households exiting the programme through structured transition initiatives, including linkages to livelihood empowerment schemes, financial literacy training, and participation in community-based savings mechanisms such as Village Savings and Loan Associations.
The Minister urged implementing agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and payment service providers to carry out the exercise with professionalism and integrity.
Development Partners Commend Reforms
The Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Marian W. A. Kpakpah, described the launch as a major milestone in Ghana’s social protection reforms, calling for continued collaboration among stakeholders.
Development partners, including the World Bank, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and Civil Society Organizations, commended the government for the ongoing reforms and reaffirmed their continued support.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building a more inclusive, transparent, and effective social protection system that ensures no vulnerable Ghanaian is left behind.
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