Gender Minister advocates tax relief for School Feeding caterers

By Prince Antwi June 26, 2026

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has urged government to eliminate taxes deducted from payments made to caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme to help improve the quality of meals served to schoolchildren.

Her appeal comes on the back of government’s recent decision to increase the feeding grant from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00 per child per meal, a move aimed at strengthening the programme and enhancing the nutritional value of meals provided in public basic schools.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Dr Lartey said removing tax deductions from caterers’ payments would ease their financial burden and allow them to use more resources towards preparing nutritious meals for beneficiaries.

According to the Minister, the government has already taken steps to remove the tax component from payments made to caterers, ensuring that they receive the full approved amount for their services.

“One of the other things we have also done, and we are hoping it will go a long way to relieve caterers, is to remove the tax component in the payment to caterers so that they will have a bit more relief in terms of the money they receive and how they prepare nutritious meals to feed the children,” she stated.

Dr Lartey explained that the increase in the feeding grant, coupled with the removal of taxes on payments, forms part of broader efforts to improve both the quantity and quality of meals provided under the School Feeding Programme.

She noted, however, that any further improvements to the initiative would depend largely on the availability of financial resources and the necessary approvals from government.

The Ghana School Feeding Programme remains one of the country’s key social intervention policies. The initiative provides daily meals to pupils in public basic schools, while also promoting school enrolment, attendance and retention, particularly in vulnerable communities across the country.

Government officials believe the latest measures will strengthen the programme and better support caterers in delivering healthier and more nutritious meals to schoolchildren.