Following numerous complaints about the inadequate quality and quantity of meals served to pupils under the School Feeding Programme, the Secretariat has ramped up monitoring efforts to assess the situation firsthand in selected beneficiary schools.
Led by the National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme, Hajia Fati Forgor, along with all regional coordinators, a dedicated team has been conducting surprise inspections across various schools over the past few days.
The move aims to evaluate caterers’ performance and implement necessary improvements to ensure pupils receive nutritious and sufficient meals.
“When you monitor unannounced, you see the reality on the ground,” she stated. “In some schools, caterers met the expected standards for both quality and quantity. However, in others, portions fell short. We will sustain these inspections to ensure compliance. Failure to meet requirements will lead to contract termination.”
Regarding the concerns of contract, the national coordinator stressed that engaging competent caterers remains a top priority to guarantee pupils consistently receive nutritious meals.
To address long-standing concerns, the GSFP Secretariat has raised the daily allocation per child from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00. The adjustment, prompted by inflation and stakeholder feedback, aims to enhance meal quality and ensure the programme’s sustainability.
“The increment reflects our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by caterers while prioritizing children’s nutritional needs. The amount will be periodically reviewed to keep pace with economic changes,” Hajia Fati explained.
The GSFP has pledged to expand monitoring efforts nationwide, with stricter penalties for non-compliant caterers. Parents and school authorities have been encouraged to report irregularities through official channels to ensure accountability.
As the programme evolves, stakeholders remain hopeful that these measures will restore confidence in the initiative, which plays a critical role in combating hunger and improving school attendance.
