Accra, Ghana – May 4, 2025
Ghana’s Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a stern warning to heads of Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide: enhance the quality and timeliness of meals provided to students or face the withdrawal of government feeding grants.
Mounting Concerns Over Meal Quality and Distribution
This warning follows increasing reports from students and parents about substandard food quality and delayed meal services in SHSs. Hon. Iddrisu emphasized the government’s dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, highlighting the need for immediate improvements.
“We are not satisfied with the quality of the food that has been supplied, and we are not satisfied even with the timely distribution of the food,” he stated.
Decentralized Feeding Policy Under Scrutiny
The decentralized feeding system, which allows school heads to procure food locally using government grants, is now under review. Minister Iddrisu indicated that if the policy fails to deliver the intended quality and efficiency, it may be reversed.
“I will not hesitate to reverse that policy decision, even though it was a manifesto pledge, if that is what it takes to ensure that the right quality and quantities of food are provided,” he warned.
GES Council Tasked with Enhanced Oversight
Addressing the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Ghana Education Service (GES), chaired by Professor Mawutor Avoke, Minister Iddrisu called for rigorous monitoring and internal audits of the feeding program. He also encouraged unannounced visits to school dining halls to assess meal quality firsthand.
“Director-General, you and Professor Avoke should once in a while make unannounced visits to school dining halls to see for yourselves the quality of meals students are being fed,” he advised.
Addressing Broader Educational Challenges
Beyond feeding concerns, the Minister highlighted issues of rising insecurity and indiscipline in schools, citing recent incidents involving weapons on campuses. He urged the GES Council to take proactive measures to ensure student safety and uphold discipline.
“You’ve heard the stories of gunshots in an educational institution. You’ve heard the stories of knives and other weapons being used on school campuses,” he noted.
“This is not Ghanaian. You have to take immediate and proactive steps to ensure safety in all our educational institutions.”
Commitment to Implementing Educational Reforms
Minister Iddrisu reaffirmed the government’s dedication to implementing recommendations from the recent National Education Forum, aiming to enhance the quality and efficiency of Ghana’s education sector.
“The trust reposed in us to support pre-tertiary education in this country is not one to take lightly,” Professor Avoke responded.
“As members of the GES Council, we are aware of the work ahead, including the implementation of education policies that will support quality outcomes.”
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