The National School Feeding Programme (NSFP) Secretariat has held a stakeholder consultation meeting aimed at strengthening the implementation, monitoring, and overall effectiveness of the School Feeding Programme in the capital.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders to assess the programme’s performance, identify operational challenges, and gather feedback to inform policy and administrative decisions.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, described the consultation as timely, saying it provided an opportunity to review the programme’s implementation over the past year and propose practical measures to improve service delivery.
He noted that the National School Feeding Programme remains a major social intervention under government, contributing not only to the welfare of children but also to education, health, nutrition, and poverty reduction.
According to the Mayor, the programme continues to play an important role in improving school enrolment, attendance, and retention, particularly among children from vulnerable households across the metropolis.
He stressed that effective implementation of the programme requires strong coordination, regular monitoring, and strict adherence to nutrition and hygiene standards to ensure pupils receive quality meals in a safe environment.
“The School Feeding Programme is not only about providing meals. It is about supporting education, improving child health, reducing the burden on parents, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to remain in school and learn under better conditions,” he said.
The Mayor further indicated that the Assembly would work closely with the NSFP Secretariat and other relevant institutions to address implementation challenges identified during the consultation.
Officials of the NSFP Secretariat explained that the stakeholder engagement is part of a broader nationwide exercise aimed at gathering first-hand information from implementing agencies, departments, and development partners at the local level.
According to them, feedback from the consultations will help the Secretariat make informed decisions, refine operational guidelines, and support ongoing government reforms to enhance the efficiency and impact of the programme.
They reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to strengthening monitoring systems, improving coordination among stakeholders, and ensuring that meals served under the programme meet the required nutritional and safety standards.
The consultation also provided a platform for stakeholders to share local experiences and propose practical solutions to challenges affecting the smooth implementation of the programme in the Accra Metropolis.
Hon. Allotey assured that the Assembly would continue to support initiatives that promote the well-being of schoolchildren and strengthen collaboration among departments responsible for education, health, agriculture, and social welfare.
