The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, during the 2023 Mid-Year Budget review held on Monday, July 31, made some significant announcements regarding the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) and social protection programs.
Mr. Ofori-Atta stated that the government has successfully cleared all outstanding arrears owed to caterers under the GSFP.
This development brings financial relief and stability to the caterers involved in the program.
Furthermore, he emphasized the government’s commitment to sustaining social protection programs to provide support and assistance to the underprivileged and vulnerable segments of society.
Specifically, under the LEAP (Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty) program, the government has disbursed a total of GH¢169.95 million as of June 2023 to 346,019 households, benefiting approximately 1,533,748 individuals.
Notably, the monthly grant for beneficiary households has been increased to GH¢64.00 for one-member households and GH¢76.00 for two-member households, up from the previous amounts of GH¢32.00 and GH¢38.00, respectively.
The program aims to reach around 2.5 million people, approximately 8 percent of the population.
The GSFP has also made significant strides in increasing its coverage.
From 1,671,777 beneficiaries in 2016, it has expanded to cater to 3,801,491 beneficiaries as of June 2023.
“Under the LEAP programme, Government disbursed a total of GH¢169.95 million as at June 2023 to 346,019 households comprising 1,533,748 individuals. This includes the increase of the monthly grant to beneficiary households from GH¢32.00 to GH¢64.00 for one-member household and GH¢38.00 to GH¢76.00 form two-member households. Our target under this programme period is to reach about 8 percent of the population, that is 2.5 million people.
“Under the Ghana School Feeding Programme, coverage increased considerably from 1,671,777 beneficiaries in 2016 to 3,801,491 beneficiaries by June 2023. The feeding grants cost per meal, per child, per day increased from GH¢1.00 to GH¢1.20 for the 2023 academic year. We have also settled all arrears owed to caterers under the programme for the second and third terms of the 2022 academic
year; and the first term of 2023.
“The Capitation Grant contributed to increased enrolment in public basic schools from 6,048,897 pupils for the 2021/2022 academic year to 6,114,302 pupils for the 2022/2023 academic year,” he added.
Additionally, to ensure the program’s effectiveness, the feeding grants cost per meal, per child, per day has been adjusted from GH¢1.00 to GH¢1.20 for the 2023 academic year.
Furthermore, the government’s support extends to education, where the Capitation Grant has played a vital role in increasing enrolment in public basic schools.
The number of pupils enrolled has risen from 6,048,897 for the 2021/2022 academic year to 6,114,302 for the 2022/2023 academic year.
Overall, these initiatives demonstrate the government’s dedication to uplifting its citizens, ensuring the well-being of vulnerable groups, and improving access to education for the younger generation.