72,000  beneficiaries of  the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) across the country started receiving cash transfer payments from Monday October 14.

The beneficiaries will be receiving payments ranging from GHS 96 to GHS 180 per household. The cash payments, which will end by October 18 will cover payments for four months.

LEAP is a government social intervention cash transfer to the poorest households in Ghana and it is aimed at empowering the extremely poor, disadvantaged, disabled and vulnerable populations.

The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme is the flagship programme of Ghana's National Social Protection Strategy administered by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection under the Department of Social Welfare.

About 7,860 persons with disability households currently benefit under the bi-­ monthly cash grant transfer programme.      

But this number is estimated to increase by December, 2013  as the programme expands to cover a total 100,000 households.

Through the bi-monthly LEAP payments of  GHS 24.00 per beneficiary, GHS 30 per two beneficiaries  GHS 36 per  three beneficiaries      and GHS 45per four beneficiaries, many households and individuals have been able to provide for their basic needs.     

Beneficiaries have also had some capital to start small scale business ventures for sustainable income to ultimately stay out of abject poverty.              

LEAP also  monitors and ensures its  beneficiaries  enroll with  the National Health insurance Scheme (NHIS), that children attend school regularly and are immunized.