According to a report by Daily Graphic on Sunday, 4th May, 2025 l, the Minister of Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has given a serious warning to all Senior High School (SHS) headmasters across Ghana.
He says if they do not improve the quality of food served to students, the government will stop giving them feeding grants.
Mr. Iddrisu gave this warning during the inauguration of a new Governing Council for the Ghana Education Service (GES) on Friday, May 2, 2025. He said the government is not happy with the poor quality and delayed supply of food in some schools.
According to him, students deserve better meals that are nutritious and worth the money spent.
He explained that the current policy allows schools to receive money directly to buy food locally. This is different from the old system where food was supplied by the National Food Buffer Stock Company. However, if this new system is not working well, he is ready to cancel it.
“I will not hesitate to reverse this policy, even though it was a promise in our manifesto,” he said. “We must make sure students get the right food in the right quantity and quality.”
Mr. Iddrisu also asked the GES Council and headmasters to conduct regular audits and allow surprise inspections of school kitchens and dining halls. He encouraged the GES Director-General and the Council Chairman, Professor Mawutor Avoke, to visit schools unannounced to check the food being served.
Aside from the feeding issue, the Minister also expressed worry about growing cases of violence and bad behavior in schools. He referred to recent incidents like a shooting at Kumasi SDA SHS that left a student seriously injured.
Mr. Iddrisu called on school authorities to take strong action to improve discipline and safety in all schools.
