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The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare has organized this year the celebration of the International Day of Meals at Agona Nyakrom, in the municipality of Agona West, in the central region, inviting the caterers to observe the rules of personal hygiene in the exercise of their functions.
Omanhene from the traditional Agona Nyakrom area, Okataky Okofo Nyarku Eku X who launched this appeal said that it was incumbent on the caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Program to ensure that the environment in which they prepare children's meals to be tidy in order to avoid food contamination and badociated diseases. .
Speaking on the theme of the "Who Made My Meal" celebration, Okofo Okatakyie Nyarku Eku X said the school feeding program was a blessing for parents and that society in general was easing the financial burden parents, especially when children went to school in the morning.
He therefore urged the caterers to ensure that they prepare a healthy meal for the children in order to serve the purpose of its introduction.
"Most children who benefit from the school feeding program today usually go to school on an empty stomach until late in the afternoon, when their parents have trouble sending them, so this program is sent by God, so we adopted it unreservedly.
We are grateful to Her Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, who led the NPP government for supporting the program, which has significantly increased school enrollment.
The government spends a huge budget for the school feeding program, I want to encourage officials working with the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare to intensify the monitoring and supervision of the program in the schools. beneficiary schools to ensure the sustainability of the project which is very dear to us "
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of Agona West, the Hon. Ms. Justina Marigold Assan congratulated the Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and Social Welfare, the Hon. Mrs. Cynthia Morrison having given to the Agona West Municipal Assembly the opportunity to host the 2019 edition of the celebration of International School Lunch Day in Agona Nyakrom.
"Nana, President of the School Feeding Program since its introduction in October 2005 by its former President, HE John Agyekum Kuffour, has undoubtedly contributed greatly to improving our education over the years.
The program that provides children in public elementary schools and kindergartens with a nutritious, nutritious daily meal at school has improved school attendance, school attendance and student retention. the poorest communities.
The school feeding program has also promoted an increase in the production and consumption of national food products, as well as the incomes of poor rural households in the country.
L & # 39; Hon. Ms. Justina Marigold Assan added, "The Municipality of Agona West has benefited immensely from this program with a total of 6,260 students from 24 public elementary schools.
This and other interventions were taken into consideration at the awards ceremony hosted by the Minister of the Central Region, Hon. Kwamina Duncan in December 2018 in Cape Coast, where the municipality has received several awards in the education sector.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Gender, Childhood and Social Welfare for the expansion of beneficiary schools in the municipality from 17 to 24 schools in just one year.
However, a number of schools have asked for this help, especially from disadvantaged communities. The Assembly will be grateful if more schools are included in the program in the municipality "
Minister of Gender, Childhood and Social Protection, Hon. Mrs. Cynthia Morrison congratulated the development partners of the school feeding program for their participation.
She noted that the Ministry spends 90% of its annual budget on the School Feeding and Livelihoods Empowerment Program (LEAP), leaving only 10% for other programs and activities. from the ministry.
"This is why the Government, through the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, is closely monitoring all Pesewa paid to individuals or groups of people working within the framework of the program. School feeding program.
I would like to urge caterers in the Ghana School Feeding Program to be transparent in their books and to respect proper accounting because the ministry will not accept corrupt practices.
Just as we want transparency in your accounts, the ministry will also ensure that every Pesewa due is fully paid for your services. Let's all leave our hands on the deck to provide the child beneficiaries with nutritious meals. "
L & # 39; Hon. Ms. Cynthia Morrison, also a member of Parliament for Agona West, revealed that the ministry had paid 186 million Ghc this year alone to the school feeding program for its programs and activities.
"That's why the government is working to optimize resources. The money spent is not recoverable, it is not a for-profit activity. It is also why the department is ensuring that taxpayers' money is spent wisely.
As Okofo Okatakyie Nyarku Eku X, Omanhene from the traditional Agona Nyakrom area just said that caterers must provide nutritious meals to children, because a healthy people is a rich country and, as we all know, these children are the future leaders of this country.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the caterers in the Agona West riding for their hard work and dedication to duty. I have personally tasted their food at various places and I must say that they provide quality nutritious meals to children in their areas of operation. "
She expressed the hope that the celebration of the International School Meals Day would encourage the ministry, caterers and society in general to support the program and extend it to a larger number from schools across the country.
Exercise books, wash intestines, buckets and cups were provided to the four beneficiary children and schools, respectively.
Ms. Gertrude Quarshiga, Acting National Coordinator of the School Feeding Program in Ghana, Ms. Paulina Koranteng, Deputy Director of Development Partners Liaison, and Mrs. Agnes Owusu, Central Regional Coordinator of the School Feeding Program in Ghana.
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