The Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, has announced a significant overhaul of the Ghana School Feeding Programme, revealing plans to digitalise all operational processes starting September 2024.
The move is aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the programme.
In a press briefing held in Accra on Thursday as part of the Ministers' Press Briefing series, Madam Newman outlined the government's commitment to transition from the current manual procedures to a fully digital information management system.
The new system is expected to handle every aspect of the programme, including caterer selection, data collection, and payment processing.
"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," the Minister stated.
The digital transformation, scheduled to begin with the 2024-25 academic year, aims to enhance the efficiency of the programme by providing real-time updates on its operations.
Madam Dakoa Newman emphasized that the new system would allow the ministry to monitor the progress of caterers more effectively, ensuring that all processes are transparent and up-to-date.
Under the digitalised system, prospective caterers will be required to apply online, paying a fee of GHC200 to create a profile for assessment.
The application process will necessitate the submission of essential documents, including health certificates, business operating permits, and proof of financial capability.
"This new system is going to give us real-time updates; we will know today the number of caterers who have cooked in the past few weeks, without having to wait until the end of the term," Newman explained.
The minister also revealed that the system would be piloted in the New Juaben South District in the Eastern Region and Krachi East District in the Oti Region before a nationwide rollout.
She encouraged caterers to embrace the new online application process, noting that it is a significant step towards creating a paperless and greener society.
“We are excited to launch this new system and improve the efficiency of the Ghana School Feeding Programme,” Newman said.
The introduction of this digital system marks a pivotal moment in the government's efforts to modernize public services and improve the welfare of children across the country through more efficient management of the school feeding initiative.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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