Eduwatch Calls for Decentralisation of School Feeding Programme

May 19, 2025 - 00:13

Accra, Ghana - 19 May, 2025 - Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) is urging the Ghanaian government to speed up reforms in the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) to improve its efficiency and transparency.

The organisation is pushing for the decentralisation of caterer procurement and contract management, citing the need for better food quality and accountability.

Eduwatch, in a statement, raised concerns about the programme's management, particularly the abrupt termination of catering contracts just before the start of a new term, which disrupted meal provision and affected school attendance.

The organisation also questioned the accuracy of official figures on the number of beneficiaries, citing unpaid arrears that have forced some caterers to withdraw their services.

According to Eduwatch, the programme's coverage has been overstated, with many caterers struggling to pre-finance food provision due to financial strain. The organisation is calling for stricter criteria in awarding contracts, ensuring that only caterers with proven technical and financial capacity are selected.

The GSFP is a vital lifeline for many schoolchildren, particularly in deprived communities, and Eduwatch's call for reforms aims to ensure the programme's sustainability and effectiveness.

Read the statement below;