As schools reopened on May 6, 2025, thousands of children across Ghana eagerly anticipated their daily hot meal, a crucial component of their educational journey. However, almost two months into the new academic term, the pupils are yet to see smoke coming out of their kitchens, sparking concerns about the government’s commitment to the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).
The Challenge.
The delay in providing meals for school children is attributed to the new administration’s efforts to engage different caterers, mostly party foot soldiers. While the authorities claim this is underway, the prolonged delay has raised concerns about the programme’s effectiveness.
Importance of School Feeding in Rural Ghana
For children in rural Ghana, the school feeding program is more than just a meal – it’s a lifeline. It improves attendance and enrollment rates especially in rural areas.The feeding also enhances cognitive function and learning outcomes.
It also supports nutrition and health, particularly for vulnerable children. Furthermore, it helps alleviate household food insecurity particularly during the rainy season. Finally, it fosters a sense of community and social support
In rural areas, where poverty and food insecurity are prevalent, the school feeding program is a vital component of children’s educational and overall well-being.
Solutions for a Brighter Future
To address the delay and ensure that school children receive the nutrition they need, the following steps can be adopted:
1. Fast-track Caterer Recruitment
Expedite the recruitment process for caterers, ensuring that qualified and capable vendors are engaged promptly to minimize disruptions in meal services.
2. Interim Measures
Implement interim measures, such as advance payments or bridging funds, to support caterers and ensure continuity of meal services while the recruitment process is completed.
3. Streamline Procurement
Simplify and streamline the procurement process to reduce bureaucratic delays and enable quicker engagement of caterers.
4. Leverage Existing Contracts
Where possible, leverage existing contracts or framework agreements to quickly onboard caterers, ensuring minimal disruption to meal services.
5. Communicate with Stakeholders
Keep parents, teachers, and students informed about the status of meal services and any challenges being addressed to manage expectations and build trust.
6. Prioritize Funding
Ensure that adequate funds are allocated to the school feeding program to support the recruitment of caterers and provision of meals.
7. Capacity Building
Provide training and support to caterers to ensure they can deliver high-quality meals consistently, and to program administrators to manage the program effectively.
A Call to Action.
By implementing these steps, the government can help minimize delays and ensure that school children receive the nutrition they need to thrive. It’s time for the government to prioritize hungry minds and invest in the future of Ghana’s children.
By Alidu Zakaria
Source: yagbonradioonline
