The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has organised a national workshop aimed at improving its operations and streamlining payment systems to enhance efficiency across the country.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, programme coordinators, caterers, financial institutions, and development partners, to assess ongoing challenges and propose practical solutions to strengthen the programme’s delivery.
In her opening remarks, a senior official of the GSFP emphasised the importance of the initiative in addressing persistent operational bottlenecks, particularly delays in payments to caterers. She noted that timely and transparent payment systems are critical to sustaining the confidence of service providers and ensuring the continued success of the programme.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on improving monitoring mechanisms, enhancing accountability, and leveraging digital tools to modernise payment processes. The workshop also focused on aligning the programme’s operations with broader government policies on social protection and food security.
Caterers at the event highlighted the impact of delayed payments on their work, explaining that it often affects food quality and consistency in service delivery. They called for a more reliable and predictable payment structure to enable them to plan effectively and maintain standards.
Financial and technical experts at the workshop proposed the adoption of digital payment platforms and better data management systems to reduce inefficiencies and eliminate manual processing delays. These innovations, they argued, would improve transparency and ensure that funds reach beneficiaries promptly.
The GSFP leadership reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the recommendations from the workshop, stressing that the programme remains a key intervention in improving school enrolment, retention, and nutrition among basic school pupils.
By the end of the session, stakeholders agreed on a roadmap to strengthen coordination, improve payment timelines, and enhance overall programme effectiveness. The GSFP expressed optimism that the outcomes of the workshop would lead to a more resilient and responsive system that benefits both caterers and pupils nationwide.
