School Feeding Programme Reaches 4.53 million Children Daily

The Ghana School Feeding Programme is providing daily meals to 4,527,636 schoolchildren across the country, an increase from about 4.03 million pupils in 2024.

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the expansion formed part of the government’s efforts to support schoolchildren through the programme.

She disclosed this at the government accountability series, where she reported on progress made by the Ministry in social protection, gender equality, child protection and support for vulnerable groups.

She said the government allocated GH¢1.393 billion to the programme in 2024 to provide meals to 4,029,580 pupils at a grant of GH¢1.50 per meal.

According to her, in 2025, the allocation increased to GH¢1.788 billion, while the grant was raised to GH¢2.00 per meal, reaching 4,231,000 pupils.

Dr Lartey noted that the government increased the allocation to GH¢1.982 billion, representing a 42 per cent increase, while maintaining the GH¢2.00 grant per meal and expanding coverage to 4,527,636 children daily in 2026.

She said the Ministry had also cleared all caterer arrears from 2024 and paid the first and second terms of the 2025/26 academic year.

She said the Ministry has increased compliance monitoring under the programme, with the number of schools monitored rising from 4,419 in 2025 to 8,270 schools in 2026.

“20,171 caterers and head cooks have received training in practical nutrition standards,” she added.

Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD