Background – LEAP Ghana

Our Story

How LEAP Began

The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme was introduced by the Government of Ghana in 2008 as a national social protection intervention to support extremely poor and vulnerable households. At inception, the programme covered 1,654 households in 21 districts. Through sustained scale-up and policy commitment, LEAP expanded significantly to reach about 350,000 households by 2026, covering all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) nationwide.

LEAP provides bi-monthly cash grants and free National Health Insurance coverage to extremely poor and vulnerable households, with the goal of reducing extreme poverty and promoting human capital development through access to complementary social services.

The programme is managed by the LEAP Management Secretariat (LMS) under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection led by Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (MP), Minister, and Marian Wia. Kpakpah (Ph.D), Chief Director with support from the World Bank, UNICEF, and the UK Government's FCDO.

📋 Established

Under GPRS II framework, 2007–2008

🏛️ Ministry

Gender, Children & Social Protection

🎯 Objective

Reduce extreme poverty & promote human capital

💳 Method

Bi-monthly cash grants + free NHIS coverage

Our Purpose

Goal of the LEAP Programme

To reduce extreme poverty and promote human capital development among vulnerable households through the provision of cash transfers and access to complementary social services.

Programme Objectives

1 Provide regular and predictable cash transfers to households.
2 Improve access to essential services, including health, education and social welfare.
3 Reduce vulnerability and strengthen household resilience.
4 Promote human capital development.
5 Facilitate pathways for households to progressively move out of poverty.

Building an Inclusive Future

LEAP stands as a cornerstone of Ghana's drive to create an inclusive, equitable and responsive social protection system. As the nation evolves, with shifting demographics, changing household needs and advancements in data systems, LEAP must reassess beneficiaries to ensure its support reaches those who need it most.

Target Groups

✓ Older persons (65 years and above) without support
✓ Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)
✓ Persons with severe disabilities who are unable to work
✓ Pregnant women and mothers with children under one year

Programme History

LEAP Through the Years

From a small pilot to a nationwide programme, trace LEAP's journey of growth and impact.

2007

Programme Design & Framework

LEAP is designed as part of Ghana's Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II (GPRS II), establishing the framework for a national cash transfer programme.

2007

2008

March 2008

First Disbursement — Pilot Launch

LEAP makes its first cash transfer to 1,654 households across 21 pilot districts. Targeted categories include orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), elderly (65+), and severely disabled persons.

2009

National Expansion to 54 Districts

LEAP expands to 54 districts. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and persons with severe disability without productive capacity are added as eligible categories.

2009

2010

Emergency LEAP Introduced

Emergency LEAP is established to provide rapid support to households affected by floods and droughts, demonstrating the programme's responsiveness to natural disasters.

2012

Payment Rates Increased

Grant amounts are significantly increased: from GH₵16–30 to GH₵48–90 per household, reflecting government commitment to meaningful poverty reduction.

2012

2013

Q3 2013

Electronic Payments Introduced

LEAP transitions to electronic payment systems through AYA Technologies, MTN Mobile Money, and the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), improving security and efficiency.

2015

LMS Established & Rates Raised Again

Cabinet approval establishes the LEAP Management Secretariat as a separate, dedicated entity. Payment rates are increased to current levels: GH₵64–106. Biometric e-zwich payments rolled out nationwide.

2015

Feb 2026

February 2026

100th Payment Cycle Milestone

LEAP celebrates a historic milestone, the 100th payment cycle, reaching all 216 MMDAs and disbursing GH₵320–530 per household to over 350,000 beneficiary households.

April 2026

Nationwide Reassessment & 400,000 New Enrolments

Using the Ghana National Household Registry (GNHR), Government identifies 400,000 newly eligible extremely poor households for enrolment. A transitional support system is introduced for graduating households, including livelihood programmes, financial literacy workshops, and Village Savings and Loan Associations.

Apr 2026

Evidence-Based Results

Impact Evaluation Findings

Independent evaluations confirm LEAP's significant and measurable impact on beneficiary households.

🏫

Education

12% increase in school enrollment, reduced grade repetition, and improved attendance among school-age children in beneficiary households.

🍽️

Food Security

65% of beneficiaries reported improved food security, with households able to maintain more regular meals and dietary diversity.

🌾

Agricultural Investment

62% of beneficiaries used grants to purchase fertilizers, directly improving agricultural productivity and food production.

💼

Economic Activity

63% invested in economic activities such as small businesses, trading, and farming creating pathways out of poverty.

🏥

Healthcare

NHIS enrollment requirement ensures all beneficiary households have access to the National Health Insurance Scheme.

👩

Gender Equity

56% female beneficiaries and 62% female-headed households receiving LEAP support, advancing gender equity goals.

Programme Reset

Resetting LEAP: A Renewed Social Contract

A nationwide reassessment ensures LEAP's support reaches those who truly need it most, while enabling capable households to graduate with dignity.

🔄

Why Reassess?

The reassessment exercise is undertaken to:

✓ Enhance targeting accuracy by updating household welfare status
✓ Promote fairness and transparency in beneficiary selection
✓ Ensure efficient use of public resources by aligning benefits with current needs
✓ Facilitate transitions for households whose socio-economic conditions have improved

🔬

Methodological Approach

Data Collection

• Nationwide household data collection using standardized tools
• Capture of key indicators: income, consumption, assets, vulnerability status and demographics
• Use of digital platforms to improve accuracy and reduce processing time
• Engagement of trained enumerators under strict quality assurance protocols

Data Processing & Analysis

• Cleaning and validation of collected data
• Application of targeting algorithms and proxy means testing
• Cross-referencing with administrative databases where applicable
• Categorization of households into outcome groups

📊

Reassessment Outcomes

Following a nationwide reassessment using the Ghana National Household Registry (GNHR), Government has identified:

400,000

Extremely poor households newly enrolled into the LEAP Programme

This ensures that support is delivered to those most in need, while also enabling capable households to transition out of the programme with dignity.

🌱

Transitioning

A significant number of households have experienced welfare improvements and are ready to transition. Government is introducing a carefully designed transitional support system ensuring transitions are managed smoothly, respectfully and with the necessary backing.

Beneficiaries will have access to productive inclusion initiatives such as:

→ Livelihood programmes
→ Financial literacy workshops
→ Community-based Village Savings and Loan Associations
→ Linkages to complementary social protection and economic initiatives

Conclusion

Government remains committed to enhancing the Programme through improved delivery systems, stronger accountability, and linkages to complementary services that support long-term well-being. The reassessment further strengthens transparency, accountability and efficient resource use, while supporting structured and dignified transitions for households moving out of the programme.

Beneficiary Profile

Who Benefits from LEAP?

🧒

45%

Orphaned & Vulnerable Children

👴

27%

Aged 65+

♿

17%

Severely Disabled

🤰

11%

Pregnant & Nursing Mothers

Check Eligibility Criteria

Programme Background