The government has begun a nationwide assessment of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme as part of plans to reform the system and expand support to more vulnerable households.

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the exercise is aimed at removing ineligible beneficiaries and making room for others who need support.

However, she disclosed that the process will lead to a short delay in payments for the first quarter of 2026.

Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the Minister assured that previous payments are up to date.

“Yes, we are up to date with payment,” she said, adding that “this quarter… is the one that is going to have a bit of a delay in releases because… we are doing the big LEAP.”

She explained that the ongoing assessment involves transitioning beneficiaries who are no longer eligible to other social interventions.

“We are having those who are out of poverty graduating to access other, more effective social interventions… so we are moving them from the LEAP for others to come on board,” she stated.

According to her, the review is also tied to the government’s plan to increase the number of beneficiary households.

“Per agreement, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama tasked that we should ensure that by the end of this year, we have up to 400,000 households benefiting,” she said.

She noted that the programme is currently being expanded from 350,000 to 400,000 households, which requires field assessments and data updates.

“A bit of enumeration is going on in the field… and then uploading the beneficiaries onto the system to ensure that we meet the target,” she explained.

The Minister expressed hope that the exercise will be completed within two weeks.

“We are hoping that within the first two weeks we will be able to cover and then pay and catch up with subsequent payments,” she said.

She clarified that the delay is not due to a lack of funds.

“It is not a matter of availability of funds… it is the documentation of things,” she emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Minister also addressed the recent building collapse at Accra Newtown, indicating that her ministry is providing support to the affected victims.

She said officials from the Department of Social Welfare and the Department of Children have been deployed to assist those injured.

“My officers… followed up to the hospital. And so we are on top of the issues, trying to get the needed psychosocial support for them,” she said.

According to her, the ministry is working with other agencies to ensure a coordinated response.

“We are also coordinating to see what the other ministries, departments, and agencies are doing… to ensure that we are there for those who need us,” she added.

She noted that some victims are receiving treatment at the Police Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital, although a full report is still being compiled.

“They were not all taken to the same hospital… when we get the full report, we will make it available,” she said.

The Minister stressed that, beyond physical injuries, attention must also be given to the emotional well-being of victims.

“We don’t take it for granted that somebody got injured… and the wounds have healed, and so automatically the emotional needs have also been taken care of,” she said.

She added that providing psychosocial support falls within the ministry’s broader responsibility to protect vulnerable persons affected by such incidents.

"Per the strategy that we launched yesterday, that responsibility comes to the ministry," she said.