Targeting Poverty Reduction: A Case of the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) Programme in Ghana

The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme is the only cash transfer programme being operated in Ghana and the first of it kind. Although cash transfer programmes have been very popular in some developing countries in Latin America, its was not until 2006 that Ghana thought about one. Since its implementation in early 2008, there have been mixed reactions to the programme from all quarters. Most of the arguments are on the reasons why it has taken its current form. It is therefore worth investigating to know why it has taken up its current status in the midst of weak administrative apparatus in Ghana. The first chapter will deal with the general introduction of Ghana and the poverty situation in Ghana and also stating the research question. The second chapter will concentrate on the background to the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty and its current status. The third chapter will do a bit of literature on various cash transfer programmes around the world with specific highlights on shortfalls of such programmes. It is on this basis that an analytical framework is designed to analyse the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty on the forms it has taken and discuss possible problems based on what is happening elsewhere. Real analysis to answer the research question and highlighting of possible problems due to the form it has taken will is found in chapter four and finally the conclusion in chapter five.