Ghana’s government has terminated the contracts of all caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) with immediate effect, citing ongoing restructuring efforts to improve the program. The GSFP Secretariat assured caterers that outstanding payments for the second term of the 2024/2025 academic year will be settled in due course.
Details of the Termination.
– No existing caterer is expected to provide meals for the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year.
– The GSFP will announce new recruitment guidelines for caterers soon.
– The decision is part of a broader restructuring exercise aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the School Feeding Programme ¹ ² ³.
Challenges Facing the GSFP.
The GSFP has faced criticism for several challenges, including:
– Politicized Procurement: The process of selecting caterers has been accused of being politicized.
– Centralized Management: The program’s management structure has been criticized for being too centralized.
– Poor Financing: Inadequate funding has hindered the program’s effectiveness.
– Corruption: Allegations of corruption, including ghost schools and ghost pupils, have plagued the program.
– Lack of Transparency and Accountability: The program’s operations have been criticized for lacking transparency and accountability.
Uncertainty Over Practical Measures.
While the government has announced the termination of contracts, it remains unclear what practical measures have been put in place to address the Top 5 challenges facing the GSFP. The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection has not provided details on how the program will be managed differently to improve food quality, program management, and accountability.