The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says Ghana’s senior high schools are no longer facing the food shortages that plagued the sector in previous years, describing the development as a major improvement in the management of school feeding.
Speaking at Aburi Girls’ Senior High School on June 9, Mr Iddrisu said schools across the country now have a more reliable food supply.
“I’m happy to note that, for the first time in many years, we are not experiencing food shortages in our schools,” he said.
He attributed the progress to the government’s decision to uncap the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), which he said has enhanced financing for food procurement through the Ghana Commodity Exchange and the National Buffer Stock Company.
“Thanks to the uncapping of GETFund, adequate provisions are being made for food through the Ghana Commodity Exchange and the Buffer Stock Company,” he explained.
According to the Minister, the feeding component of the Free Senior High School programme is now being managed more effectively with sustained support from GETFund.
“At least the feeding component of the Free Senior High School programme is now being properly managed through GETFund financing,” he added.
Mr Iddrisu further revealed that the government has earmarked GH¢4 billion this year to support school feeding nationwide.
“This year alone, we have allocated GH¢4 billion to cater for feeding in schools across the country,” he said.
The Minister also announced plans for a major expansion of educational infrastructure, backed by funding from the World Bank.
According to him, the World Bank is expected to consider approval for the proposed programme at a meeting scheduled for June 16.
“Next week, the World Bank will meet on the 16th of this month to consider approval for the infrastructure expansion we have promised,” he stated.
“We intend to upgrade 30 Category C schools to Category B and 20 Category B schools to Category A with an investment of US$300 million to expand educational infrastructure across the country,” he said.
Mr Iddrisu noted that Category A schools would also benefit from additional infrastructure development under the programme.
“We will make special provisions for Category A schools to ensure they receive further infrastructure support,” he added.
The Minister also commended the leadership of Aburi Girls’ Senior High School, particularly the headmistress, for her dedication to maintaining discipline and promoting academic excellence at the institution.