What measures are in place to check if quality food is being served at the basic schools - Hon. Edem Agbana to Gender Minister

The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Hon. Edem Agbana, has demanded stricter regulatory oversight and quality control mechanisms for the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP). Taking the floor during a parliamentary session, the lawmaker quized the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection regarding what concrete measures are in place to ensure that the food served to basic school pupils across the country meets acceptable nutritional and hygienic standards. 

Expressing deep worry over previous complaints from various communities, the Ketu North MP highlighted instances where some caterers allegedly served substandard meals due to delayed payments and rising inflation. 

In her response to the house, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection Hon. Naa Momo Lartey acknowledged the operational challenges facing the program but assured lawmakers that measures are actively being tightened. The Minister explained that the ministry has deployed monitoring teams tasked with auditing the quality of ingredients and meal preparation processes. Furthermore, she stated that the ministry is working closely with the Ghana Health Service to train caterers on food safety, nutrition, and portion controls to ensure the pupils receive well-balanced diets.

This parliamentary dialogue underscores a critical turning point for the future of the Ghana School Feeding Programme, which serves as a major incentive for school enrollment. While the sector minister's assurances provide some relief, lawmakers like Hon. Edem Agbana maintain that sustained financial accountability and prompt disbursement of caterer grants are some solutions to securing meal quality.