Raphael Kofi Gapson, the General Secretary of the Council of the Parent-Teachers Association of Ghana, has attributed the distribution of unwholesome foods to children in various basic schools to political influence within the school feeding programme.
According to Gapson, the programme operates on political patronage, prioritising connections within the government over the provision of healthy food for children.
Gapson’s comments come in response to the Auditor General’s 2022 report, which revealed that students in basic schools are receiving unhealthy food as part of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP).
The report highlighted instances of mouldy corn dough and non-protein foods, such as jollof rice, being used in violation of programme guidelines. The GSFP, initiated in 2005 to boost enrollment at the basic school level, has faced scrutiny for its implementation and effectiveness.
In a phone interview with De Don on Hot FM’s Morning Show, monitored by Puretvonline.com, Gapson confirmed the Auditor General’s findings, attributing the issues to the government’s failure to provide adequate funding to caterers. “Seventy percent of the challenges facing caterers are financial,” he noted.
Gapson also mentioned that the operations manual introduced in 2009 by former Minister of Local Government, Hon. Joseph Yileh Chireh, which outlines the proper implementation of the school feeding programme, has not been enforced. He believes that adhering to this manual could resolve many of the current challenges.
“How do you give little money to caterers and expect quality food for children? If you release money on time, caterers are likely to cook healthy food, but by tying the hands of the caterers, you are setting them up for failure,” Gapson added, emphasising the need for timely financial support to ensure the provision of nutritious meals for schoolchildren.