EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Global Child Nutrition Foundation

Kenya’s Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Education recently
signed an agreement that acknowledges the role of proper
nutrition in children’s growth and cognitive development.
“Our interest in school feeding programs goes
beyond the direct education benefits and looks
at school feeding programs as part of a holistic
school health initiative.”
Hon. Dr. James Gesami, Assistant Minister of Public
Health and Sanitation, Kenya
These programs can also improve health habits in the
broader community.
Schools are at the heart of many communities. As a result, they
provide entry points to educate the broader community about
good health practices.
When school feeding programs provide a variety of nutritious
foods, they transform children’s eating habits. These habits are
then transferred to parents and other family members.
Direct community involvement in school feeding programs is also
very important. When community members engage in food
production, preparation, and serving, they become educated on
good health and sanitation practices.
The Ghana School Feeding Program has demonstrated
important lessons about management and accountability.
In 2005, the Ghana School Feeding Program (GSFP) was
launched to enhance food security and reduce income variability
for farmers. Each school day, 700,000 children in selected public
primary schools are given one hot, nutritious meal prepared from
locally grown foods. The objective is to spend 80% of the feeding
costs in the local economy.
The first phase of the GSFP has been extended to December
2011 to conduct program evaluation and to design Phase Two
of the program. Important lessons learned from Phase One
include:
Scaling Up Sustainability: Linking School Feeding with Agriculture
Development to Maximize Food Security
May 3-7, 2011
Nairobi, Kenya
© 2011 GCNF and PCD. All rights reserved. Page 8
Robust management and accountability systems are essential.
The program’s rapid growth was not accompanied by
establishment of management and accountability systems. As
a result, information sharing was inadequate between different
levels of government. District and school decision makers
were often unaware of program objectives and strategies.
The program also did not adequately serve marginalized and
deprived communities.
Linkages between school feeding and agriculture development
can be maximized. Baseline data from 69 districts shows that
66.9% of service providers procure food from local farmers.
The concentration of schools in Ghana’s two largest cities is
one reason for this low percentage. The Minister of Local
Government and Rural Development is encouraged, however,
by government intervention which can maximize the use of
local agricultural products in school feeding programs.
To address these challenges, a Social Accountability Project
(SAP) was established in 2009. This project is funded by the
Dutch Embassy, the Government of Ghana, SNV, and SIGN
(Schoolfeeding Initiative Ghana Netherlands). The goal is to
improve program transparency, efficiency, and reach. A
management system will be used to disseminate program
information including policies, objectives, targets, financial
resources, and results.
In the GSFP’s second phase, further attention will be given to
local food procurement, targeting criteria, and improved
agricultural production. The Ministry of Local Government and
Rural Development will recommend a national policy to govern
the program.
“We have realized at great cost, the importance
of efficient and effective management and administrative
systems, particularly for monitoring and
evaluation aspects."
Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local
Government and Rural Development, Ghana