The government boosted financing for the National School Feeding Programme (NSFP) to GH¢1.78 billion in the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, up from GH¢1.2 billion in 2024.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson boosted the feeding grant per child from GH¢1.20 to GH¢1.60 in his budget presentation to Parliament on March 11, 2025, citing growing food prices and the need to sustain the initiative.
“This increase is necessary to sustain the programme and ensure that pupils in public basic schools continue to receive nutritious meals,” claimed Dr. Forson.
He told Parliament that the government will emphasize prompt payments to caterers to avoid delays to the programme.
The school feeding program, which serves free meals to more than 3.8 million students, is a significant social intervention aimed at increasing school enrollment and attendance.
“The government remains committed to strengthening this programme as part of broader efforts to improve education and child nutrition in Ghana,” said psychiatrist Dr. Forson.
Parliament is anticipated to debate the allocation, with talks focusing on payment deadlines, the sufficiency of the additional funding, and how to provide excellent meals for students.
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