News:
June 25, 2026
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has abolished all taxes on payments made to caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), a move designed to improve the quality and nutritional value of meals served to millions of schoolchildren across the country.
The tax relief comes alongside a government-approved increase in the daily feeding grant from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00 per child per meal. The adjustments were announced by the Sector Minister, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, while responding to questions in Parliament on Wednesday, June 24, regarding the cost and implementation of the programme.
Tax Removal to Ease Caterer Burden
Dr. Lartey explained that the removal of the tax component is a deliberate policy intervention aimed at ensuring caterers receive the full value of their allocations without deductions.
“I had earlier stated that the amount used to be GH¢1.50 and that has been increased to GH¢2. The tax component has also been taken off so that the caterers can have the full amount to be able to serve our children,” she stated on the floor of Parliament.
The Minister noted that the increment responds to long-standing concerns raised by caterers and other stakeholders over rising food prices and the growing cost of preparing balanced, nutritious meals for pupils.
Programme Reaches Over 4 Million Pupils
The Ghana School Feeding Programme, which is implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, currently provides one hot, nutritious meal each school day to 4,231,059 learners from kindergarten to Primary Six in approximately 12,000 public basic schools nationwide. The initiative targets pupils in underserved and deprived communities, with the aim of improving school enrolment, attendance, and academic performance while reducing hunger among children.
Dr. Lartey told Parliament that the government remains committed to sustaining and gradually expanding the programme, though she indicated that current financial limitations have made it impossible to extend coverage to additional beneficiaries at this time. “Consequently, there is a long-term policy commitment to progressively strengthen and expand the programme within available resources,” she said.
Broader Reforms to Enhance Nutrition and Accountability
Beyond the grant increase and tax exemption, the Ministry is implementing a series of sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening nutrition, food safety, and accountability in schools nationwide.
Dr. Lartey disclosed that the programme has reviewed its 16 regional ecological menus to ensure balanced and nutritious meals for schoolchildren. With support from the World Food Programme and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the Ministry is piloting School Connect, a digital monitoring tool designed to track compliance with approved menus and improve accountability in service delivery.
Additionally, the World Bank has supported the development of menu cards that provide clear guidance on food preparation, portion control, and nutritional standards. Caterers and head cooks have undergone nationwide training in food hygiene, safety, and nutrition, while head teachers have been empowered to monitor adherence to guidelines.
To enhance protein intake, soybean powder has been introduced into traditional meals such as kenkey, waakye, jollof rice, and soups. Routine monitoring at national, regional, district, and school levels is also being intensified to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards.
Minister: Child Health and Safety is Priority
Dr. Lartey emphasised that the government’s priority remains the health and safety of the child. “While challenges remain, our priority is the health and safety of the child. If it means delaying meals to ensure quality, we will do so in the best interest of the children,” she stated.
She also warned that punitive measures, including contract revocation, would be applied to caterers who fail to meet the prescribed standards. The Minister expressed confidence that the reforms will significantly strengthen service delivery and improve nutritional outcomes for schoolchildren across the country.
The Ghana School Feeding Programme remains one of the government’s flagship social intervention initiatives, aimed not only at improving access to education and reducing hunger, but also at supporting local agricultural production through the procurement of food items from local farmers.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com