The Ghanaian Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced an increase in the School Feeding Programme meal cost from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2 per child per day. This 33% rise aims to address the inadequacy of the current funding and improve nutritional support for the 3.8 million children benefiting from the program.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced plans to increase the cost per meal for students participating in the School Feeding Programme from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2. This increase, which amounts to a 33% rise, is part of a policy established under the previous Mahama administration, designed to enhance food provision for schoolchildren.
During a recent X Space interview hosted by KalyJay and monitored by GhanaWeb Business, Dr. Forson emphasized the inadequacy of the current funding, stating that “Currently, the government of Ghana pays GH¢1.50 per child per day. Unfortunately, we all agree that this amount is too small and can’t even buy one egg.” He further mentioned that the government plans to index meal costs to inflation in the upcoming budget.
Originally, the cost for each child’s meal was set at GH¢1, which had been raised to GH¢1.20 by the previous administration. In 2023, an impressive 3,801,491 children benefited from the Ghana School Feeding Programme, which is aimed at increasing school enrollment, alleviating hunger, and enhancing nutrition among students.
Dr. Forson is scheduled to present the national budget for 2025 in Parliament on March 11, 2025, where additional details regarding these changes may be outlined.
In summary, the Ghanaian government will raise the cost per meal for schoolchildren under the School Feeding Programme from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2, marking a significant adjustment to enhance nutritional support. This increase reflects the government’s recognition of the need for better funding to support educational initiatives aimed at improving student well-being. The move is expected to positively impact the vast number of beneficiaries in the program, which served over 3.8 million children in 2023.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
