The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has called for urgent reforms to de-politicise Ghana’s school feeding programme, stressing that it must be free from political influence to truly benefit students.

He was responding to a Joy News documentary in collaboration with School for Life that highlighted inadequate teachers, infrastructure challenges and the absence of a school feeding programme at the Sabonjida D/A School in the Tatale-Sangule District of the Northern region.

Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Mr Asare highlighted ongoing challenges the school feeding programme has faced since its introduction in 2005.

One of the main issues, according to Mr Asare, is insufficient funding, which has severely limited the programme’s effectiveness.

He suggested decentralising the programme to ensure that resources are better directed to districts with high poverty levels, where they could have the greatest impact on both student enrolment and nutrition.

“We started the school feeding programme in 2005, but it has faced significant challenges due to inadequate funding. If we decentralise the programme, we can target resources to where they are needed most in communities with higher poverty levels, boosting both student enrolment and nutrition,” he explained.

He also raised concerns about the current funding allocation for the programme, which stands at just Gh₵1.50 per student excluding a 3% tax.

He described this amount as insufficient, emphasizing that at this rate, the funds are barely enough to buy an egg.

He stressed the urgent need for a larger financial commitment to ensure the programme’s sustainability and effectiveness.

“We need a significant increase in funding to ensure the programme continues and improves,” he added.

In addition to advocating for increased funding, he called for the removal of political interference in the procurement process.

“We must de-politicise the procurement and management of the school feeding programme".

"School feeding should not be used as a political tool or to favour supporters of specific political parties. Instead, we need a home-grown programme that is effectively managed and prioritises the well-being of students,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating his commitment to continuing the advocacy for the decentralisation of the programme and a substantial increase in its funding.

“We will continue to advocate for the decentralisation of the school feeding programme and a significant increase in its funding to ensure that every student in need has access to proper nutrition, which will enhance both their learning experience and overall health,” he affirmed.