There is no financial clearance to expand school feeding programme this year — Gender Minister

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has disclosed that the government will not expand the Ghana School Feeding Programme in 2026 due to the absence of financial clearance.

According to the minister, although the government remains committed to broadening the programme to reach more schools, current budgetary constraints have made any expansion impossible this year.

She, however, indicated that discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Finance and President John Dramani Mahama to create room for future expansion of the programme.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, June 24, the minister said the programme continues to play a critical role in improving child welfare and educational outcomes across the country.

“Government recognizes the important role of the Ghana School Feeding Programme in improving child nutrition, increasing school enrollment and retention, reducing absenteeism, and supporting local food production. Consequently, there is a long-term policy commitment to progressively strengthen and expand the programme within available resources,” she said.

“However, under the 2026 appropriation, the programme did not receive financial clearance for further expansion to cover additional schools at this time,” the minister stated.

Despite the setback, she said the ministry is engaging stakeholders and development partners to improve the sustainability and efficiency of the programme.

She noted that government remains committed to expanding social protection interventions, including the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.

The Ghana School Feeding Programme was introduced to provide one nutritious meal a day to pupils in public basic schools, with the aim of improving school attendance, retention and nutritional outcomes while supporting local food production.