By James Amoh Junior
Accra, March 12, GNA – Mr. Kasise Ricky Peprah, a Socio-Political Activist, has warned that the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), a key government initiative aimed at reducing hunger and promoting basic education, is being severely undermined by underfunding and systemic inefficiencies.
He described the current GH¢2.00 per child meal allocation as “nothing short of a national disgrace,” questioning the government’s commitment to the welfare of Ghanaian children and the future of the country.
“The announcement that Ghana’s School Feeding Programme now allocates just 2 cedis per child per meal is an insult not only to the children but to the very concept of education and national development,” Mr Peprah said in a commentary shared with the Ghana News Agency.
“This meagre amount, roughly equivalent to 20 US cents, highlights an abysmal failure in prioritising the welfare of the nation’s future,” he said.
The GSFP, established under the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Pillar 3, aims to reduce hunger and malnutrition, increase school enrolment, attendance and retention, and stimulate domestic food production in deprived communities.
Its core concept is to provide one hot, nutritious meal every school-going day to children in public basic schools, using food prepared from locally grown produce.
The programme aims to spend 80 per cent of feeding costs in the local economy to boost livelihoods and food security.
The initiative is overseen by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) through a multi-ministerial Programme Steering Committee, and coordinated nationally by the GSFP Secretariat.
Implementation is carried out by district assemblies, supported by regional and school-level committees.
Despite this structure, the programme continues to face serious challenges that, according to Mr Peprah, have rendered it ineffective in meeting its objectives.
“In many schools, 2 cedis wouldn’t even cover the cost of a basic meal, let alone a healthy, nutritious one,” he argued, and said, “this is not just an issue of a budget deficit; it is a clear reflection of the government’s lack of commitment to its most vulnerable citizens — its children.”
He warned that the inadequate funding was not only affecting classroom concentration and academic performance but also posed long-term health risks to school children.
“Undernourished children have difficulty retaining information, exhibit lower academic performance, and are more prone to illness. The long-term health repercussions — malnutrition, stunted growth, and weakened immune systems — are a serious concern,” he noted.
Mr Peprah also criticised the broader political context of the programme, citing corruption, inefficiency and lack of accountability as significant factors hampering its success.
“Funds meant to improve the lives of the most vulnerable are often misappropriated or poorly managed. Contractors may deliver subpar food, or local government officials may not properly oversee the distribution, leaving children to suffer the consequences of a broken system,” he said.
He called on the government to increase the meal allocation significantly and to initiate reforms aimed at improving transparency and ensuring value for money.
“This 2 cedis allocation is not just an oversight — it is a systemic failure. The School Feeding Programme should be a priority, not an afterthought,” Mr Peprah stressed.
He further recommended that the Government should invest in sustainable, community-driven food systems by supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening local food supply chains.
He suggested that by supporting smallholder farmers and creating local food networks, the government could strengthen the economy, improve food security, and reduce the costs of feeding students.
While the GSFP remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s social protection agenda, many stakeholders agree that its survival depends on urgent and bold reforms.
“If we are serious about the future of this country, we must demand that children are given the food, care, and education they deserve. Anything less is an abdication of responsibility.”
GNA