The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, has announced that government has initiated the necessary steps to ensure that all the processes involved in the Ghana School Feeding Programme are digitalized.
The Minister assured the media that the programme will no longer rely on the manual system, but will soon launch an Information Management System to manage the entire process. She said the system will manage the Caterer selection, Data collection and the Payment modules.
She reiterated that the digitalized system, which seeks to increase efficiency and transparency in the program’s operations will commence in the September 2024-2025 academic year. “We are moving away from a manual system to an online system, where everything will be done electronically, this will help us to streamline the process, reduce duplication and increase accountability”, she stated.
Addressing the media, the minister noted that with the new system, prospective Caterers would be required to apply online, pay a fee of GHC200 and create a profile to be considered under the programme. She said Caterers would also have to provide details including Health Certificates, Business Operating Permit and declare financial capabilities among others.
Mad. Newman emphasised that the digital system would provide immediate updates, allowing the Ministry to monitor the progress more effectively. “It’s going to give us real time update, we will know today the number of Caterers who cooked, without having to wait till the end of the term,” she stated. The Minister also announced that the system would be piloted in the New Juaben South and Krachi East districts, before it will be rolled out nationwide.
The Chronicle would like to commend the approach by the Ministry. This shift from a manual to an online system is not just a technological upgrade; it is a necessary transformation that promises to address long-standing issues of inefficiency, corruption and lack of transparency that have plagued the program for years.
The GSFP, since its inception, has played an essential role in improving school enrollment, attendance and nutritional outcomes for children, particularly in underserved communities. However, the program’s reliance on manual processes has often led to delays, inaccuracies and opportunities for malpractices, which in turn have undermined its effectiveness.
The introduction of an Information Management System to manage Caterer selection, data collection and payment processes is a welcome development that could significantly elevate the program’s operational standards.
Madam Newman’s announcement that the new digital system will be launched in the 2024-2025 academic year and will start with pilot projects in New Juaben South and Krachi East districts is a commendable approach. Piloting the system in specific districts will allow the Ministry to identify and address any potential challenges before a nationwide rollout.
This cautious and strategic implementation demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that the system is robust and fully functional before it is introduced on a larger scale.
One of the most promising aspects of this digitalization initiative is to reduce the risk of favoritism and corruption and also ensure that only qualified and capable Caterers are selected, thereby improving the quality of meals provided to schoolchildren.
Moreover, the real-time updates that the system will provide are crucial for effective monitoring and evaluation. The Ministry will no longer have to wait until the end of each term to assess the program’s progress. Instead, immediate data on the number of meals prepared and other key metrics will be available, enabling timely interventions where necessary. This real-time oversight will be instrumental in preventing issues such as misallocation of resources, overpayment or under-delivery of services.
However, while the benefits of digitalization are clear, the success of this initiative will largely depend on its implementation. The transition from a manual to an online system will require significant training and capacity building, especially for caterers who may not be technologically savvy.
The Ministry must ensure that adequate support is provided to all stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition.
