The government will, from next year, increase the number of households under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to 400,000.
Currently, there is a total of 350,000 households on the programme, translating into 1.5 million people.
The Minister, Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, made this known at a press briefing in Accra last Friday, December 19, 2025.
She also announced that beginning Monday, December 22, 2025, the ministry will begin the nationwide disbursement of grants to beneficiary households for the 99th cycle.
“For this cycle, the government has released a total amount of GHS139 million to be dispersed to approximately 350,000 households, constituting about 1.5 million people”.
Dr Lartey gave the breakdown of the money to be received, explaining that one eligible member would receive GHS320, households with two eligible members would receive GHS380, households with three eligible members would receive GHS440, while households with four or more eligible members would receive GHS530.
The minister said the timely disbursement of the grants since the beginning of this year was a direct outcome of the government’s reset agenda, built on responsiveness, reliability and a clear focus on the needs of the extremely poor and vulnerable.
“We are mindful that this period coincides with the festive season, which often places additional financial demands on the households and the 99-cycle payment is, therefore, intended to provide essential support, enabling beneficiary households to partake more meaningfully in the Christmas festivities and approach the new year with dignity and hope,” she said.
“Our vision extends beyond this payment cycle, in line with the commitment of the President, John Dramani Mahama, to strengthen social protection delivery and build a more inclusive society.
The Ministry of Finance has, therefore, allocated a historic GHS1.1 billion to the LEAP programme for the coming period; the highest allocation since the programme’s inception,” she added.
She commended frontliners of the programme, saying the expansion required a united effort and, therefore, called on all stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels, traditional leaders, religious bodies, civil society organisations and government agencies to support the ministry in this essential effort to lift more guardians out of extreme poverty.
The Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister stressed that the success of the LEAP programme rests on the tireless efforts of individuals on the front lines and commended the Department of Social Warefare and Community Development across all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, community focal persons, payment service providers and development partners, saying: “Your diligence, compassion, dedication and invaluable contribution have been instrumental to the effective delivery of the programme and to our progress in 2025”.
She said, “this regular and sustained intervention remains a cornerstone to safeguard the social protection architecture and the direct reflection of the government’s reset agenda to save the vulnerable in society, especially the extremely poor.
