Ghana’s School Feeding Programme, a flagship initiative designed to provide meals to students in public schools, is under fire following shocking revelations of corruption and mismanagement. Former Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Adwoa Safo, has lifted the lid on what she describes as a deeply entrenched system of rot within the programme. Her allegations, made during an interview on Wontumi TV on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, have sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for urgent reforms.
A Vision Gone Wrong
The School Feeding Programme was introduced in 2005 under former President John Agyekum Kufuor as part of efforts to boost enrollment, improve nutrition, and support local farmers by sourcing food locally. Over the years, it has become a critical lifeline for millions of Ghanaian children, particularly in underserved communities. However, according to Adwoa Safo, the programme has strayed far from its original vision, becoming a hotbed of corruption and inefficiency.
“The rot and corruption in the school feeding sector are serious,” Safo declared. “This government must pay attention to this sector. Former President Kufuor had a great vision for the programme, but the way it has been twisted is a matter of grave concern.”
A Minister’s Struggle Against Corruption
Adwoa Safo, who served as Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, recounted her efforts to address the systemic issues plaguing the programme. She revealed that former President Nana Akufo-Addo had instructed her to conduct a comprehensive audit of the programme before any funds would be released for its operations.
“When I was appointed as the Gender Minister, President Akufo-Addo asked me to audit the school feeding programme before I could access revenue to operate. The question was: What was all the money allocated to the programme being used for?” Safo explained.
However, her attempts to uncover the truth were met with resistance. She described how a key official in the programme repeatedly ignored her calls and messages, allegedly boasting of her connections to higher authorities.
“I would call this woman, a key official in the programme once, twice, even three times, and she wouldn’t respond. Instead, she would send a message saying she wasn’t happy with how I was handling her because she had connections in the government and at higher authorities,” Safo alleged.
Central Region at the Center of the Scandal
Safo’s audit reportedly uncovered significant financial irregularities, with the Central Region emerging as a major hotspot for corruption. She claimed that funds meant for feeding schoolchildren were being siphoned off through dubious means, with little accountability or oversight.
“Most of the rot was coming from the Central Region,” she stated. “The backlash that followed my submission of the audit report made President Akufo-Addo deny that he had asked me to conduct it. He told me to set it aside, and that’s where my problems began.”
Her revelations suggest that the corruption was not limited to lower-level officials but involved high-ranking individuals within the government. Safo alleged that members of the previous NPP administration attempted to cover up the scandal, ultimately leading to her audit report being dismissed.
A Call for Transparency and Accountability
Adwoa Safo’s allegations have reignited calls for transparency and accountability in the administration of the School Feeding Programme. Civil society organizations, education advocates, and opposition leaders have joined the chorus, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.
“This is not just about mismanagement of funds; it’s about the future of our children,” said Kwame Asare, an education policy analyst. “When resources meant for feeding schoolchildren are stolen, it directly impacts their ability to learn and thrive. The government must act swiftly to restore confidence in the programme.”
The programme’s challenges are not new. Over the years, there have been numerous reports of delayed payments to caterers, poor-quality meals, and allegations of favoritism in the selection of service providers. However, Safo’s revelations suggest that the problems run much deeper than previously thought.
The Human Cost of Corruption
The implications of corruption in the School Feeding Programme extend far beyond financial losses. For many children in Ghana, the meals provided through the programme are their only reliable source of nutrition. When funds are mismanaged or stolen, it is the most vulnerable who suffer.
“I have seen children who rely on this programme for their daily meals,” said Ama Serwaa, a teacher in a rural community in the Central Region. “When the food doesn’t come, or when it’s of poor quality, it affects their health and their ability to concentrate in class. It’s heartbreaking.”
Parents and guardians have also expressed frustration over the lack of accountability. “We hear about billions of cedis being allocated to the programme, but we don’t see the results,” said Kofi Mensah, a parent of two schoolchildren. “Our children deserve better.”
A Path Forward
Adwoa Safo’s revelations underscore the urgent need for reforms in the School Feeding Programme. She has called on the government of President John Dramani Mahama to prioritize the sector and implement measures to curb corruption and improve efficiency.
“The government must take this matter seriously,” Safo urged. “We cannot allow a few individuals to derail a programme that is so vital to the well-being of our children and the future of our nation.”
Among the proposed reforms are stricter oversight mechanisms, regular audits, and the involvement of independent bodies to monitor the programme’s operations. There have also been calls for greater community involvement, with parents and local leaders playing a role in ensuring transparency.
A Test for the Mahama Administration
The allegations of corruption in the School Feeding Programme present a significant test for the Mahama administration, which has pledged to prioritize education and social welfare. How the government responds to these revelations will be closely watched by Ghanaians and the international community.
“This is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability,” said Nana Ama, a political analyst. “The people of Ghana are demanding action, and anything less will be seen as a failure.”
As the debate over the future of the School Feeding Programme continues, one thing is clear: The stakes could not be higher. For millions of Ghanaian children, the programme is more than just a policy, it is a lifeline. Ensuring its success is not just a matter of good governance; it is a moral imperative.
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