UHAS, GSFP, CSIR and Fortified Whole Grain Alliance push for improved school feeding in Ghana

Stakeholders in Ghana’s nutrition, agriculture and education sectors have called for better integration of locally available foods into school meals to improve children’s diets.

The call was made during a webinar on school meals and food systems, which also marked the launch of the Ghana Community of Policy & Practice (CoPP), a platform aimed at improving coordination and translating research into action.

Professor Francis Bruno Zotor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences said school meals go beyond feeding children and are linked to nutrition, education, agriculture and livelihoods.

Ghana’s Ghana School Feeding Programme currently reaches about 4.5 million pupils, improving attendance and reducing hunger, but challenges remain with the nutritional quality of meals.

Speakers highlighted opportunities to better link school feeding to local food systems to ensure more consistent use of nutritious local foods.

Seth Offei of the GSFP Secretariat outlined efforts to introduce soy into school meals as an affordable protein source, with training for caterers and improved links between schools and local farmers.

Research led by Jolene Mateko Nyako of the CSIR Food Research Institute explored increasing the use of aquatic foods, including fish-based powders and sausages, to improve nutrition.

Participants noted that while such foods are available, challenges remain in integrating them into daily meals due to supply, sourcing and system constraints.

Issues such as limited soy production and delayed payments to caterers under the school feeding system were identified as barriers affecting supply and financing.

Joy Murasi of the Fortified Whole Grain Alliance highlighted behavioural challenges, noting that foods like whole grains are often overlooked due to perceptions around taste and preparation.

Mawuli Kushitor stressed the importance of community involvement, pointing to local willingness to support school feeding through land, labour and produce, though this is not always fully utilised.

Examples of community-led school farms producing nutrient-rich crops such as orange-fleshed sweet potatoes were also highlighted.

Professor Phyllis Addo said all stakeholders have a role in ensuring school feeding programmes are effective.

Participants said the Ghana CoPP will provide a platform to connect government, researchers, development organisations and communities to share lessons and develop practical solutions.