The 2025 Ghana Budget Statement announced a significant increase in funding for the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GHFP), raising the daily meal allocation per child from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00.
This enhanced allocation highlights the government’s commitment to improving educational, health, and economic outcomes.
School meal programs are recognized globally by the World Food Programme as the largest social safety nets, significantly impacting education, health, and economic development.
According to the 2024 Global School Meals Survey, approximately 410 million children worldwide, including 3.6 million children in Ghana, benefit from school meal initiatives 1.
Recent systematic reviews confirm that school feeding programs in Africa and other low- and middle-income countries positively influence school attendance, enrollment, and retention 2,3.
Additionally, substantial evidence indicates these programs contribute significantly to improvements in children’s weight and height, key indicators of better nutritional status and overall health in low- and middle-income settings
A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) conducted by Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection 4 under former administration previously recommended an increase from GH¢1.20 to GH¢1.50 per student, projecting the economic viability of investing in school feeding.
The analysis revealed a substantial economic return in the current state of the GSFP: for every GH¢1.00 spent, the programme generated GH¢3.30 in economic benefits, primarily through improved education, better health outcomes, and overall economic growth.
Thus, increased investment in the Ghana School Feeding Programme represents a strategic decision that supports both immediate and long-term economic development.
However, the programme faces several challenges that may undermine its effectiveness. Observational studies 5–9 reveal critical issues, including financial constraints, political interference, poor meal quality, unclear nutritional standards, operational inefficiencies, and limited stakeholder engagement.
The CBA report from the ministry projects a potential gain of GH¢9.00 for every GH¢1.00 invested, based on the situation in other countries, if the associated inefficiencies are addressed.
Thus, to maximize the effectiveness of Ghana’s recent GH¢444 million investment, prioritizing strong governance, transparency, improved meal quality, clear nutritional standards, and sustained community engagement is essential.
Addressing these challenges proactively will ensure that the benefits of the School Feeding Programme extend beyond improvements in enrollment and attendance, contributing to lasting educational, health, and economic benefits for Ghana.
References
1.Global Report of School Meal Programs Around the World. GCNF https://gcnf.org/global-reports/.
2.Wall, C. et al. The Impact of School Meal Programs on Educational Outcomes in African Schoolchildren: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public. Health 19, 3666 (2022).
3.Wang, D., Shinde, S., Young, T. & Fawzi, W. W. Impacts of school feeding on educational and health outcomes of school-age children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Glob. Health 11, 04051 (2021).
4.School Feeding in Ghana – Investment Case – Cost Benefit Analysis Report | World Food Programme. https://www.wfp.org/publications/school-feeding-ghana-investment-case-cost-benefit-analysis-report (2019).
5.Galaa, S. & Saaka, M. Running an effective and sustainable school feeding programme: Key factors to consider. J. Soc. Dev. Afr. 26, 39–65 (2011).
6.Iddrisu, I. Improving School Feeding through Participation: Should the Teacher Be Actively Involved? Int. J. Educ. Manag. 32, 141–154 (2018).
7.Iddrisu, I., Sayibu, M., Zhao, S., Ahmed, A.-R. & Suleiman, A. S. School feeding as a social protection programme or a political largesse: a review. Int. J. Comp. Educ. Dev. 21, 16–30 (2019).
8.Iddrisu, I., Gunu, I. M. & Abdul-Rahaman, N. Challenges of school feeding in Ghana: Its effect on enrolment and attendance. Soc. Sci. Humanit. Open 6, (2022).
9.Mohammed, A.-R. The politicisation of social programmes: insights from Ghana’s School Feeding Programme. Dev. Pract. 32, 901–911 (2022).