Following the reopening of basic schools on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has directed all existing caterers to resume providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren across the country.

The directive aims to ensure that pupils in all 16 regions of Ghana continue to receive one hot, nutritious meal daily as part of the School Feeding Programme.

In a press statement issued by the National Coordinator, the GSFP reaffirmed its commitment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), to the successful implementation of the initiative.

The School Feeding Programme, which currently benefits over four million children in public basic schools nationwide, remains a key pillar of the national agenda to support education and improve child nutrition.

New Caterer Procurement Process

The GSFP emphasised that a new caterer procurement process, announced earlier, will soon be rolled out under the current administration.

This process, which involves collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is expected to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the programme.

In the interim, the GSFP has appealed to community leaders and stakeholders to support caterers in fulfilling their mandate without disruptions.

“We strongly appeal to all stakeholders and opinion leaders within beneficiary communities to ensure that all caterers are able to execute their mandate of serving one hot nutritious meal to beneficiary pupils without any hindrances,” the statement read.

Updates on payment of arrears

According to the GSFP, full payment for the Third Term of the 2023/2024 academic year has been completed. Additionally, 40 out of 71 cooking days’ arrears for the First Term of the 2024/2025 academic year have also been cleared.

The GSFP assured caterers that the remaining 31 days’ arrears for the First Term of 2024/2025 will be settled soon, further underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring the smooth operation of the programme.