The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), has released funds to settle 31 days of arrears owed to caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) for the first term of the 2024/2025 academic year.
This payment is a significant relief to caterers, who had been awaiting the settlement of outstanding allowances for meals served to pupils during the first term.
The GSFP Secretariat, in an official statement signed by the National Coordinator, Hajia Fati Forgor, expressed deep appreciation to the Government for what it described as a “timely release of funds.”
The Secretariat, also acknowledged the unwavering support of development partners who have played a key role in sustaining the programme over the years. “We thank our donor partners for their continuous support and collaboration with the Government of Ghana to sustain the programme,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the GSFP has commenced a broad restructuring exercise under the supervision of the MoGCSP. According to the statement, this reform process aims to decentralise operations, improve the quality of food served in schools, and ensure more consistent payments to caterers.
These changes align with the Government’s commitment to strengthening the Ghana School Feeding Programme and enhancing its impact on school enrolment, child nutrition, and local economic development.
The Ghana School Feeding Programme, a flagship social intervention initiative, provides one hot, nutritious meal per school day to pupils in basic public schools across the country. It is regarded as a vital tool in improving school attendance, reducing hunger among children, and supporting local agriculture by sourcing food from local farmers.
Caterers and stakeholders across the country are expected to benefit from the improved payment schedule and the upcoming decentralisation, which the Secretariat hopes will bring greater efficiency and responsiveness to the programme’s operations.