The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) is set to undergo a technological overhaul as it transitions from manual to digital operations.

The move, announced by Gender Minister Darkoa Newman today in Accra, aims to enhance transparency, reduce delays, and improve resource allocation within the programme.

Under the new system, prospective caterers will apply online and pay a non-refundable fee of GH¢200. A new information management system will handle caterer selection, data collection, and payments.

“This process is opening it up to every prospective caterer to apply online. They will have to pay GH¢ 200.00 Ghana. They’ll create a profile, they make payments, then they can work on the form,” she said at the Minister’s Press Briefing organised by the Ministry of Information to provide updates on the GSFP and Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024.

“We're going to be running an information management system to manage the entire process. To manage the caterer selection module, the data collection module, and to manage the payments section of it. Everything will be run online going forward,” she elaborated. 

The system will be piloted in New Juaben South and Krachi East districts before a nationwide rollout ahead of the 2024/2025 academic year.

“Immediately, the pilot starts so that the rolling out of the national process will also start. You will see another publication for all 16 regions this time, not just for the two districts that have been advertised at this point,” she explained.

Mrs. Newman emphasised that the digital platform will help to eliminate discrepancies and leakages that have plagued the programme in the past.

However, she cautioned potential caterers to meet specific requirements, including proof of pre-financing their operations by having a minimum of GH¢5,000 in their accounts and a valid health certificate, before applying.