GES releases funds for SHS Feeding Programme, easing concerns over perishable food shortages

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has begun disbursement of outstanding funds for the purchase of perishable food items in Senior High Schools and Technical Schools across the country, following weeks of mounting pressure on the school feeding programme.

In a press statement issued on Monday, April 20, 2026, GES spokesperson Mr Daniel Fenyi confirmed that the service had received the funds and was in the process of transferring them to individual schools. He assured that measures were in place to track expenditure and ensure the funds are used solely for their intended purpose.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Fenyi said the government had released the full amount required for perishables. “I can confirm that the monies have been released. We expect that by the close of day tomorrow or at the latest by the end of the week, school accounts will be credited,” he stated.

He explained that school feeding is divided into perishable items—such as vegetables, meat, and eggs—and non-perishable items like rice and other grains, which are supplied by the National Food Buffer Stock Company and remain in stock. While delays in funding for perishables had caused concern among school heads, he maintained that schools would not shut down as non-perishable supplies were available.

The development follows a meeting called by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu on April 17, 2026, to address growing concerns over food supply. The closed-door meeting, which included the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPTI), and the Free SHS Secretariat, ended without agreement.

During the meeting, Mr Iddrisu directed the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to maintain an existing arrangement allowing CHASS to procure perishable food items directly. However, the GETFund Administrator did not carry out that directive.

CHASS and COPTI had previously petitioned the ministry, pointing to rising costs and pressure on school budgets. CHASS warned that schools might be forced to suspend academic work if funds were not released quickly, raising fears of disruption across public secondary schools.

CHASS National Secretary Mr Primus Baro said that while non-perishable items were available, the lack of funds for fresh produce was affecting the feeding programme, which serves more than 1.2 million students nationwide.

In the 2026 budget, GETFund was named as the main source of funding for Free SHS, with GH¢4.2 billion allocated to the programme. In December 2025, GES announced the payment of outstanding feeding grants, including funds for perishables owed for the period July 29 to October 17, 2025.

GES said a follow-up statement with details of the disbursement would be issued.