School Feeding Programme resumes in Kadjebi District after reassignment of caterers
Smiles returned to the faces of hundreds of schoolchildren in the Kadjebi District during the just-ended week as the Ghana School Feeding Programme officially resumed, providing hot, nutritious meals to pupils and easing the burden on parents.
A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to some schools, including Okanta D/A Basic School, Kadjebi E.P Primary School, and Kadjebi D/A “A” Basic School-confirmed that caterers were serving meals, and pupils were visibly enthusiastic about the return of the programme.
At Okanta D/A Basic School, Mrs. Margaret Ofori, the designated caterer, said she currently serves 238 pupils daily.
She noted that meal preparation began on Monday, September 8, with meals including dishes like jollof rice served on Friday, September 12, the day of GNA's visit, and banku with okro soup scheduled for Monday, September 15.
“We work hard to ensure the food is not just filling, but nutritious and well-prepared,” Mrs. Ofori said, as she stirred a pot of simmering soup under a makeshift shelter behind the school.
Mr. Bright Atteh, a teacher at Okanta D/A Basic School, commended the caterer for her dedication: “She's doing a great job. The meals are timely and well-received by the children.”
At Kadjebi D/A “A” Primary School, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Kafui Hodzor, the Headteacher, confirmed that the programme resumed on the same date and is currently benefitting 420 pupils.
“We've already seen a boost in attendance. When children know they'll be fed, they are more motivated to come to school,” Mr. Hodzor told GNA.
A similar scene played out at Kadjebi E.P Primary School, where pupils were seen lining up with plates in hand, eagerly awaiting their midday meals. The sound of cheerful chatter and clinking utensils filled the air as students tucked into their food.
GNA's earlier publication dated July 9, 2025, titled “No School Feeding Activities in Kadjebi District: Concern for Pupils’ Attendance”, reported the halting of the programme in the district.
Mr. Emmanuel Adamu, the Kadjebi District Desk Officer for the School Feeding Programme, in an interview with GNA, explained that the temporary suspension was due to the “ongoing reassignment of the caterers.”
The resumption of the programme comes as a major relief for families in the district, many of who are grappling with the rising cost of food and transportation.
Madam Abena Nyamekye, a mother of three, described the programme as more than just a school initiative. “It's a lifeline for many of us. At least we know our children won't go hungry at school,” she said.
The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) launched in 2005, aims to provide one hot, nutritious meal to public basic school pupils every school day.
The programme also supports local agriculture by sourcing ingredients from local farmers—helping to reduce hunger, improve concentration in class, and boost enrollment and retention rates.
Despite its positive impact, the programme has occasionally faced challenges, including delays in payments to caterers and interruptions in the food supply.