The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, Ghana’s flagship social protection initiative, continues to impact beneficiaries’ lives positively, despite criticisms about the adequacy of its financial support.
With bi-monthly payments starting at GH₵256, some beneficiaries in the Northern Region have shared inspiring success stories under the programme while also advocating for enhancements.
Established in 2008, the LEAP programme provides cash transfers to Ghana’s poorest households to meet basic needs and improve health and education outcomes. Beneficiaries currently receive between GH₵256 and GH₵424 every two months, depending on their household size.
Designed to alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods among vulnerable populations, the programme has facilitated success stories, especially in small-scale ventures like animal rearing.
Despite complaints about the limited financial support, some households have leveraged the modest payments for life-changing investments. Sanatu Alhassan, a resident of the Sagnarigu Municipality in the Northern Region, has used her LEAP funds to invest in animal rearing, now owning over 20 sheep.
“I used to receive close to GH₵400 bimonthly, but since the LEAP funds were increased, I now receive GH₵424 every two months. With this money, I buy one or two sheep for rearing, and over time, I have grown my herd to nearly 20.
“I no longer worry about my family’s upkeep, especially paying for my children’s school fees. If there’s an emergency, I can sell a sheep to cover the cost. I am truly grateful to the government for the LEAP support,” she stated.
Baba Iddrisu, another beneficiary from the Sugashie community in the Sagnarigu Municipality revealed that LEAP enabled him to support his daughter through nursing school.
By investing the funds in farming, Baba achieved a successful harvest, which has helped sustain his family. Before LEAP’s introduction, he struggled to afford his children’s education and daily upkeep.
“Life was unbearable until LEAP arrived in our community and started changing lives. Providing for my children’s education and feeding my family were constant struggles. However, since the LEAP support came, I have been able to invest in my farming. For three consecutive years, the proceeds from my harvests were significant. I used that income to cater for my children’s education.
Today, my first daughter has completed nursing school, and with her tuition fully paid through that money, she is now working and earning a salary. My second daughter is in nursing school and is on track to complete it soon. I am deeply grateful to the government and the ministry for this life-changing program,” he said.
Social protection programmes like LEAP remain central to national discussions. Advocates continue to press for reforms, including increased funding, stronger integration and targeted support for income-generating activities.
Many beneficiaries have called for an increase in payments to make the programme more impactful. For some recipients, the current support barely covers basic needs, leaving little room for entrepreneurial endeavours.
“I am unable to start a business because the money I receive is insufficient. With just GH₵ 256, once I buy foodstuffs for the family, everything is used up, leaving me with nothing to invest in a business. I hope the government will consider increasing the amount so that we can have enough to feed our families and still have something left to start a business,” Afishetu Adam said to Channel One News
Stephen Mensah, Municipal Director of the Department of Social Welfare in Sagnarigu, which oversees LEAP implementation, acknowledged the programme’s dual role as a safety net and a springboard for self-reliance. He commended the creativity and resilience of beneficiaries who have transformed small cash transfers into productive ventures.
Mensah expressed optimism about the success stories emerging from the programme and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to maximising its impact.
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