The government has boosted funding for the National School Feeding Programme (NSFP), earmarking GH¢1.78 billion in the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, a significant increase from the GH¢1.2 billion allocated in 2024.
During the budget presentation to Parliament on March 11, 2025, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson revealed that the feeding grant per child will be raised from GH¢1.20 to GH¢1.60. This adjustment, he explained, is in response to rising food prices and aims to ensure the continued success of the programme.
“This increase is essential to sustain the programme and ensure that pupils in public basic schools continue to receive nutritious meals,” Dr. Forson emphasized.
He also assured Parliament that the government would prioritize timely payments to caterers to avoid any disruptions to the programme.
The school feeding programme, which provides free meals to over 3.8 million pupils, is a key social intervention designed to improve school enrolment and attendance.
“The government is committed to strengthening this programme as part of broader efforts to enhance education and child nutrition in Ghana,” Dr. Forson stated.
Parliament is set to debate the allocation, with discussions likely to center on payment timelines, the adequacy of the increased grant, and strategies to ensure that pupils continue to receive quality meals.
