More than 4.5 million primary school pupils across the country now receive a daily hot meal under the Ghana School Feeding Programme, representing an increase from the 4.03 million recorded in 2024.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, disclosed this during her address at the Government Accountability Series.
To sustain the expansion, government has increased the scheme’s budgetary allocation by 42 per cent, moving from GHS 1.39 billion in 2024 to GHS 1.98 billion in the 2025/2026 academic period. The daily feeding grant allocated per child has also seen a 33 per cent upward adjustment to improve nutritional value.
Detailing wider social protection measures, the Minister highlighted significant growth in the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme. Beneficiary households expanded from 350,000 in 2024 to 450,000 in 2026.
Additionally, the average bi-monthly LEAP cash transfer rose by 70 per cent, increasing from GHS 334 in 2024 to GHS 569.14 in 2026 to cushion vulnerable families against economic pressures.
Hon. Lartey emphasised that data-driven targeting has enhanced the delivery of these social safety nets. The Ministry’s Ghana Household Registry currently holds data on 11.24 million individuals, serving as the primary database for identifying and assisting vulnerable populations.
Under targeted inclusion initiatives, 19,790 persons with disabilities have also received direct support financed through the disability component of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
