Assessment of the school feeding programme in Ghana: A study of primary schools in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district in the Central region of Ghana

The basic idea of the school feeding programme is to provide children in public primary schools and kindergartens in the poorest areas of the country with one hot, nutritious meal per day, using locally-grown foodstuffs. This study seeks to assess the impact of the school feeding programme in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District in the Central Region of Ghana from the perspective of teachers including head teachers. A descriptive survey design was used for the study, and data were obtained from eighty teachers and head teachers in the beneficiary schools in the district. The study revealed that the school feeding programme has improved the nutritional status of pupils in the beneficiary schools in the district to some extent; even though it could not improve the body mass index and height of some pupils. Also, the programme has helped to improve the academic performance of some pupils in terms of pass rates, thinking ability, understanding, concentration in class and discipline. The study further revealed that the programme has helped to improve enrolments, attendance and retention of pupils in the beneficiary schools in the district. However, it has been plagued by several challenges including inadequate basic infrastructural facilities and lack of well trained cooks among others. Generally, the school feeding programme had a positive impact on the lives of the inhabitants of the district. It is recommended that adequate basic infrastructural facilities in the beneficiary schools in the district should be provided.