Upper East school feeding coordinator organizes nutrition training for caterers

The Upper East Regional School Feeding Coordinator, Fawzia Abagnamah Yakubu, has led a regional training programme for school feeding caterers across all 15 districts of the Upper East Region.

The training, being undertaken in collaboration with regional and zonal coordinators, School Health Education Programme (SHEP) and Women in Development (WID) officers, is aimed at strengthening the capacity of caterers to provide nutritious, hygienic and balanced meals to schoolchildren.

The initiative forms part of efforts to advance President John Dramani Mahama’s agenda of resetting and improving the School Feeding Programme, with a focus on ensuring that meals served in schools provide the essential nutrients children need for healthy growth and development.

Speaking on the purpose of the training, the organisers emphasised the importance of equipping caterers with practical knowledge in proper meal preparation, food hygiene, nutrition and balanced diets.

The programme also seeks to improve food handling and preparation practices among caterers, given their critical role in protecting the health and wellbeing of pupils who depend on the School Feeding Programme.

According to the organisers, every meal served to children should contribute to the “Grow, Glow and Go” concept by providing nutrients needed for physical growth, good health and the energy required for learning and daily activities.

The training is being rolled out across the region’s 15 districts as part of a coordinated effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of school feeding services.

Fawzia Abagnamah Yakubu and the participating officers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the School Feeding Programme and ensuring that nutrition remains a central component of meals provided to children.

The regional training is therefore expected to enhance the capacity of caterers and promote better nutrition and food safety standards across schools in the Upper East Region.