Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) is urging the government to ensure that only caterers with the financial capacity to pre-finance their contracts are recruited under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), to prevent disruptions in meal services for schoolchildren.

Speaking on the matter on the Channel One Newsroom on Sunday May 18, Eduwatch’s Executive Director, Kofi Asare, emphasised the need for financial sustainability in the programme’s caterer selection process.

“The government should ensure that local government recruits only caterers who have the financial muscle to finance the contracts that they are entering into,” he stated.

Eduwatch has consistently advocated for reforms in the GSFP, particularly calling for the decentralisation of caterer procurement and contract management to improve efficiency, food quality, and transparency.

The organisation has raised concerns about ongoing challenges, including delayed payments and caterers struggling to sustain operations due to financial constraints.

Recent issues with contract terminations and unpaid arrears have reportedly forced some caterers out of the programme, resulting in fewer children receiving meals.

Despite official reports indicating an increase in GSFP beneficiaries from 4 million to 4.2 million, Eduwatch argues that financial instability among caterers contradicts these figures.

Eduwatch maintains that ensuring caterers have the financial strength to deliver on their contracts would prevent future disruptions and strengthen the programme’s ability to support school attendance, particularly in deprived communities.

The organisation continues to call for urgent reforms to protect the integrity and effectiveness of GSFP.