Government Reaffirms Commitment to Improve Nutrition Under School Feeding Programme
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of meals served to pupils under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) through continuous nutrition training for caterers.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, gave the assurance during a tour of selected GSFP nutrition training centres in the Greater Accra Region.
She was accompanied by the National Coordinator of the Programme, Hajia Fati Forgor, and the Mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Michael Kpakpo Allotey.
Addressing participants, Dr Lartey commended the National Coordinator and her management team for leading reforms that are improving the delivery of the Ghana School Feeding Programme through training and stronger collaboration with stakeholders.
She said the Programme had shifted its focus from simply providing meals to ensuring that school children receive nutritious and balanced diets that support their growth, health and learning.
“I am happy to see that we are not only preparing meals for our children but also ensuring they meet the required nutritional standards,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to the World Bank and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research for supporting the nutrition training programme.
Dr Lartey encouraged caterers to apply the knowledge gained during the training not only in preparing meals for pupils but also in promoting healthy eating practices in their homes and communities.
During the tour, the Minister interacted with facilitators and caterers, observed practical cooking demonstrations and, together with the Mayor and the GSFP National Coordinator, sampled nutritious meals prepared by participants as part of the training exercise.
The programme is being implemented with support from the World Bank and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to equip caterers with practical skills in nutrition, food safety, hygiene and healthy meal preparation.
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD
