ASSESSING THE CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GHANA SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT

This project sought to assess the implementation of the Ghana School Feeding Program (GSFP) in Bolgatanga municipal of Ghana. Five beneficiary of basic schools were selected as sample of study in undertaking this assessment of the feeding program. The study is mainly qualitative in nature and relies on both primary and secondary sources of data. The study further employed both the Winter and Van Horn & Van Meter theoretical models of implementation in its findings and analyses. Findings from the study reveal that the caterers’ model of procurement under the local GSFP is in operation in the five selected schools because it offers stable funding and no disruption in the continuity of the feeding program in the face of undue government delays in the release of feeding funds. The study further identified peculiar implementation challenges in both schools. Asoegoom primary school lacked basic infrastructural development such as a properlybuilt kitchen and access to potable water to effectively run the GSFP while the feeding program at Nyariga Done girls, Yorogo, Adabase and Azoribise are affected by local politics and a zero or little community involvement. The inability of the Government of Ghana (GoG) to promptly pay the caterers for their services coupled with undue delays in releasing feeding grants was a common problem. Also, the quality and quantity of food provided to pupils at lunch was low. Finally, study recommends that the GoG should minimize its undue delays in releasing feeding grants and endeavour to promptly pay the caterers. Again, the Bolgatanga municipal assembly should use part it’s internally generated funds (IGFs) or solicit corporate sponsorships in putting up basic infrastructures such as Kitchen at ABPS.