Caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme in six Adansi districts have undergone training in Obuasi to enhance their capacity to prepare nutritious meals for schoolchildren.
The training, organised by the School Feeding Secretariat in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, was aimed at equipping caterers with the knowledge and skills required to prepare balanced diets using locally available ingredients.
Speaking to Adom News, Adansi Districts Zonal Coordinator for School Feeding, Irene Sena Agbleke, said the exercise was designed to promote professional catering standards within the programme.
She explained that the initiative would enable caterers to use simple and common food items to prepare nutritious meals that support the growth and development of children in schools across the six Adansi districts.
Agbleke stressed that improving the quality of meals under the School Feeding Programme remains a priority, noting that proper nutrition plays a critical role in enhancing learning outcomes and overall child development.
Some caterers who participated in the training welcomed the initiative but expressed concerns about the current feeding grant. They said although prices of some food items have reduced, the allocation of GH¢2 per child is inadequate to provide balanced and nutritious meals.
According to them, increasing the grant to GH¢3 per child would enable them to improve meal quality and, where possible, include desserts.
Despite the challenges, the caterers acknowledged that the programme has significantly boosted school enrolment, as many parents are encouraged to send their children to school because of the feeding support.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the implementation of the School Feeding Programme and ensure beneficiaries receive nutritious meals to support their education.
