A public policy think-tank, IMANI Ghana, has called for a restructuring of the school feeding programme to decrease the level of corruption and inefficiency associated with it. The programme though laudable has been plagued with allegations of corruption and political patronage which in many ways are affecting the smooth running of the programme. Reports have been rife about weevil and worm infested foods provided by caterers to school pupils under the guise of the School Feeding Programme. Funding for the programme has also been problematic, with donor partners feeling reluctant to invest. Whilst officials hold a conference on Tuesday to map out strategies for funding, the Executive Director of IMANI, Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, said government must adopt corruption free measures to secure the future of the programme. “If you wanted a corruption proof scheme either you want to subsidise the food itself for the parents to be able to afford and cook for their own children,” he told Joy News. Otherwise, food vouchers can be given to parents to purchase food from private caterers, he suggested. This he said is practiced in many parts of the world, adding the safety of the food can be guaranteed. Meanwhile former National coordinator of the Programme Michael Nsowah has called for public education on the programme. “Unless the vast majority of the people accept the programme as something that will impact positively on the lives of not only the children in school, but on the lives of small scale farmers. “If we are able to do that then we will see changes in the programme,” he emphasised. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana