It still remains an unanswered puzzle, why poverty in the three northern regions of Ghana
remains very high in the midst of abundant resources and several policy interventions. The
purpose of this study is to ascertain the extent to which the Livelihood Empowerment Against
Poverty (LEAP) has improved welfare and reduced poverty in the Wa West District of Ghana.
Arguing through the lens of the rights-based theoretical perspective, the study employed the
difference-in-difference analytical technique to compare the extent to which poverty in the
district has been lessened among beneficiaries of the LEAP programme against
non-beneficiaries. The results show that the LEAP programme had a positive impact on food
security as LEAP beneficiaries were more satisfied with their food consumption as compared
to non-beneficiaries. Also there was a significant difference between the percentages of
LEAP beneficiaries enrolled onto the NHIS as compared to non-beneficiaries. On the effect
of the LEAP programme on access to credit, the study reveals that there exists a significant
difference between the beneficiary group and non-beneficiary group and that access to credit
amongst the beneficiary group is significantly higher than the non-beneficiary group. The
study finds no statistically significant relationship between the LEAP beneficiary group and
the non-beneficiary group in terms of productive activities. However, low monthly cash
transfers; irregular monthly payment, bureaucratic administrative procedures are some of the
challenges hindering the success of the LEAP program in the Wa West district. Other policy
implications are discussed.