School Feeding and the Challenge of Supporting Nutritional Needs of Pupils in Ghana

Abstract

The Ghana free school feeding program was implemented to diminish short-term hunger and malnutrition among elementary school children, to increase school enrolment, attendance, and retention in primary schools and to boost domestic food production through patronizing local agricultural food production by small-scale farmers. This research sought to examine the nutritional diversity of the school-served meals and their ability to support the nutritional needs of the pupils. The research study was carried out at the New Juaben Municipality, Koforidua, Ghana. Four deprived elementary schools enrolled in the school feeding program in the New Juaben North District in Ghana were selected; the population consisted of pupils who were between the ages of 6 to 15 years. The survey data were collected through interviews and personal observations. The data on the nutritional diversity of foods were determined through the menu and food ingredients used in each meal preparation, these were compared with the standard nutritional composition. To evaluate the established objectives on pupils’ nutrition support from the school feeding program, tables were designed, with individual menus from each school, food groups, and the assessment of nutrients comprised in each local food item. The study outcome revealed the school’s cyclical menus had selected foods stuff that comprised of all the nutrients needed for a healthy life to support school children’s nutritional needs.