The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has announced that no new schools will be added to the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) this year due to financial limitations under the 2026 budget allocation.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Dr. Lartey explained that while government remains committed to strengthening and expanding the initiative in the long term, the current appropriation did not provide the financial clearance required to extend coverage.
“There is a long-term policy commitment to progressively strengthen and expand the programme within available resources. However, under the 2026 appropriation, the programme did not receive financial clearance for further expansion to cover additional schools at this time,” she told the House.
Her remarks were in response to questions from MPs on government’s plans for the GSFP, which provides daily meals to pupils in selected public basic schools nationwide.
Despite the setback, Dr. Lartey assured Parliament that the ministry continues to engage stakeholders and development partners to improve the sustainability and efficiency of the programme while exploring opportunities for future growth.
“Notwithstanding this constraint, the ministry continues to engage relevant stakeholders and development partners to improve the sustainability and operational efficiency of the programme while exploring opportunities for future expansion,” she stated.
She further pledged to update Parliament should resources become available and approval be granted for expansion.
Presidential Commitment
Dr. Lartey expressed optimism that the situation could change, citing President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to broadening social intervention programmes.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has indicated his desire to see the expansion in this regard. If you look across the country, we are equally expanding LEAP. I am very certain that the President, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, will keep their word, and then we will see some expansion,” she said.
Nonetheless, she stressed that there is no immediate prospect of extending the programme this year.
“But for this year, there is no possibility of expansion,” Dr. Lartey emphasized.
The Ghana School Feeding Programme remains one of government’s flagship social protection initiatives, aimed at improving school enrolment, attendance, and retention, while supporting local food production.
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