Management of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has stated that high standard protocols are followed by its caterers in delivering their services.

The management in a statement said the caterers are guided by special menu tables developed for each region of Ghana and as such do not do things on their own.

This comes on the back of a publication which claims that the GSFP caterers in the Upper East Region feed pupils with less quality foods.

The GSFP indicated that a guide aids the caterers as to what to feed the students with based on their region.

“Caterers of GSFP do not cook at their own discretion but are guided by special menu tables developed for each region of Ghana based on the availability of foodstuffs at the local level in line with Ghana’s goal of implementing a Home-grown School Feeding Programme to improve on the local economy. Serving of meal by GSFP caterers is also guided by the Handy Measures which help them to serve the pupils with the right quantity of meal; and to ensure the children are not overfed or underfed.

“The Caterers during the training were also introduced to the Texturized Soy Protein (TSP). It is a good source of iron, delivering 15 percent of the recommended daily value and contains all nine of the essential amino acids the human body needs to function.”
GSFP

GSFP, not immune from challenges

The GSFP further admitted that a social intervention policy like the one it manages cannot be immune from challenges. This, it explained that, there could be possible infractions and isolated cases of noncompliance to its laid down rules and regulations by some section of its stakeholders.

“It is, however, improper for the directors to generalize the issue and create the erroneous impression that all the school feeding caterers in the Upper East Region are not doing the right thing.”
GSFP

It, further debunked claims in the recent publication that caterers in the Upper East Region are feeding pupils with less quality food.

“The GSFP Management does not abhor genuine and constructive criticisms from any Ghanaian.

“We therefore would have appreciated if the said GES Directors did a good job by telling us or Ghanaians how they arrived at the conclusion that the school feeding in the entire Upper East Region is being poorly implemented.”
GSFP

Caterers undergo intensive training

GSFP further clarified that since 2019, all caterers of the Programme, precisely those in the Upper East Region, have undergone intensive training.

“The training was organized by the Ghana School Feeding Programme with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Partnership for Child Development (PCD).”
GSFP

Touching on the issue of political victimization raised in the publication, management of the Programme found it is highly regrettable and unproductive.

“We also find the comments very inappropriate, because of its potential to undermine and give the programme an unwarranted political coloration.

“The Ghana School Feeding Programme as a national social intervention exists to serve the children and farmers of our dear nation Ghana regardless of their political, ethnic and religious persuasions.”
GSFP

The GSFP management disclosed that a national monitoring in all 260 districts in the country has begun.