By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has led members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare on a joint monitoring visit to selected basic schools to assess the implementation of the Ghana School Feeding Programme.
The monitoring exercise conducted took the team to Ayi Mensah Basic School in the Greater Accra Region and Peduase Methodist Basic School in the Eastern Region. The visit formed part of the government’s efforts to validate field reports, engage directly with beneficiaries, and ensure that investments in social protection programmes are delivering the intended impact.
Addressing pupils at both schools, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey encouraged them to take their education seriously, stressing that the School Feeding Programme is designed to support school enrolment, retention, and improved learning outcomes. She explained that regular monitoring helps the government identify challenges, gather feedback from stakeholders, and continuously improve both the quality and nutritional value of meals served to pupils.
The Minister noted that monitoring visits also provide an opportunity to assess the overall performance of the programme and strengthen accountability among all actors involved.
A member of the Committee and Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Hon. Dominic Ayine, also interacted with the pupils, urging them to appreciate the support provided through the programme. He assured them of the government’s commitment to improving school infrastructure to create better teaching and learning environments across the country.
Speaking to the media after the visit, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey reiterated that consistent monitoring by the Ministry, national coordinators, regional teams, and district focal persons has contributed significantly to improvements in the programme’s delivery. She further disclosed that the Ministry is introducing basic table manners and hygiene education as part of the School Feeding Programme to help instil positive habits among young learners.
Overall, members of the Parliamentary Select Committee expressed satisfaction with the quality of meals served, as well as the level of collaboration among caterers, head teachers, and government agencies in ensuring the programme’s success.
The School Feeding Programme remains a key social protection intervention aimed at improving child nutrition, boosting school attendance, and advancing inclusive development in line with the government’s broader social policy objectives.
