Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has held her first official meeting with the newly appointed leadership of the programme. The high-level discussion aimed at fostering collaboration, addressing challenges, and enhancing the impact of the initiative, which remains a cornerstone of the government’s commitment to child welfare and education.
The meeting brought together the National Coordinator of the GSFP, Madam Hajia Fati Forgor, her two Deputies, Madam Felicia Mekpoi Bortey and Madam Faustina Lamptey, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Abigail Akwambea Elorm Mensah.
This strategic gathering underscored the government’s renewed commitment to ensuring the programme runs effectively and serves its intended purpose of providing nutritious meals to school children across the country.
A Renewed Commitment to Excellence
Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in her address, emphasized the importance of strong collaboration between the GSFP and the Ministry. She stressed that teamwork and effective communication would be key to resolving challenges affecting the programme. She reaffirmed that GSFP remains a priority for President John Dramani Mahama, and all stakeholders must work together to improve its quality and expand its reach, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The Minister further emphasized on the importance of proper monitoring and supervision, ensuring that caterers deliver nutritious meals to children. She urged the new leadership to focus on efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the execution of their duties.
A Clear Vision for GSFP
The Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, provided an overview of the GSFP’s operational framework, including approval processes, reporting structures, and payment systems. She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to its core mandate of providing one hot, nutritious meal daily to pupils from Kindergarten to Primary Six. Her briefing served as an orientation for the new leaders, equipping them with the necessary information to hit the ground running.
Madam Hajia Fati Forgor, the newly appointed National Coordinator, expressed gratitude to the Minister for the warm reception and the confidence placed in her leadership. She pledged to work closely with her deputies to fulfill the President’s vision for the GSFP, assuring that she would be proactive in addressing challenges. She acknowledged the importance of maintaining an open dialogue with caterers to ensure smooth operations and timely service delivery.
Financial Support and Programme Restructuring
The meeting also explored opportunities for financial support for caterers through MASLOC. The CEO, Abigail Akwambea Elorm Mensah, assured the Minister and the GSFP leadership of MASLOC’s readiness to collaborate, providing financial assistance to caterers while they await their payments. This initiative is expected to ease the financial burden on service providers and ensure continuous food supply for school children.
Beyond financial considerations, discussions touched on restructuring the GSFP to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The leadership agreed on the need to refine operational strategies, improve monitoring mechanisms, and strengthen accountability systems to ensure the programme achieves its objectives.
Looking Ahead
The meeting ended on a note of renewed commitment to improving the programme’s effectiveness. The Minister, together with the GSFP leadership, expressed optimism that with proper coordination and dedication, the initiative would be further strengthened to benefit more school children across the country.
Following the meeting, the newly appointed National Coordinator and her two Deputies were introduced to the staff of the Ghana School Feeding Programme
