Gov’t Upgrades School Feeding Menus, Pilots Digital Monitoring –Gender Minister told Parliament

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, says the Ghana School Feeding Programme has reviewed its 16 regional ecological menus to ensure school children receive “adequate, balanced and nutritious meals.”

Addressing Parliament, the Krowor MP said the review is part of President John Dramani Mahama’s “resetting agenda” for the programme.

With support from the World Food Programme and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the Programme is piloting _School Connect_, a global digital monitoring tool to track compliance with approved menus and improve accountability in meal preparation.

Additionally, with World Bank support, the Ministry has developed School Menu Cards to guide caterers on food quantities, portion control, and nutritional standards. Head teachers and school authorities have been trained to monitor adherence.

Nationwide capacity building has been held for caterers and head cooks on food hygiene, safety standards, nutrition, and meal preparation in line with GSFP operational guidelines.

To boost nutrition cost-effectively, she said, soya bean powder has been introduced as a protein source for meals including _banku_, _tuo zaafi_, _kenkey_, rice balls, _waakye_, jollof rice, soups and stews.

“Routine monitoring at national, regional, district and school levels is ongoing to ensure quality assurance,” Dr. Lartey said.

She reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving the quality, safety, and nutritional value of meals under the current grant allocation framework. “We are confident these measures will strengthen service delivery and improve nutritional outcomes for school children,” she added.