Gender ministry now responsible for Ghana School Feeding Programme

The sector responsible for the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has changed from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP).

A government directive to the two sector ministers, signed by Mr Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, requested for an immediate change over.

As per the government directive, Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has accordingly handed over his responsibility to Nana Oye Lithur, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

In a letter dated July 24, the Local Government minister expressed appreciation to the management and staff of the GSFP and other stakeholders for their support.

“It is my wish that you would accord my successor the same measure of co-operation and support as she assumes the leadership of the Ghana School Feeding Programme,” the Local Government minister stated.

Social intervention

The GSFP is a social intervention by the government to help boost enrolment in public basic schools and the nutritional needs of basic schoolchildren.

The policy is meant to provide one nutritious meal each school day for all infant and primary school children from four to 12 years.
The programme was established in 2005 by Ghana and the Dutch governments as a means to boost domestic food production and increase school enrolment, attendance and retention among kindergarten and primary schoolchildren.