NGO HAPPY ABOUT REFORMS IN SCHOOL FEEDING PROJECT (PAGE 28)

SEND-Ghana, an NGO, has welcomed the announcement by the New Executive Chairman of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Mr Michael Nsowah, to strengthen existing structures with the active involvement of district assemblies in the successful implementation of the programme.
“We wish to confirm our resolve to continue providing independent citizens’ monitoring and feedback on this laudable policy as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding between our outfit and the GSFP Secretariat,” the organisation stated. It has, however, called for the outlining of a time table for implementation of the new initiative since that could be a first step of practical commitment to the realisation of these objectives.
The NGO further suggested that the structure of the GSFP Secretariat be clarified and placement of the relevant human resources done as soon as possible.
According to the country director of SEND-Ghana, Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, the role of the GSFP secretariat, as an institution and its management relations, was crucial for the success of the programme and therefore should not be overlocked.
He explained that the organisation’s main focus was on public policy through education, participatory monitoring and evaluation and lobbying. It also engages in pro-poor public policies that have the potential of creating opportunities for the vulnerable.
The director recalled that in May this year, SEND-Ghana launched the first report card on the GSFP that acknowledged the gains, potential impact and implementation bottlenecks facing the programme.
“We are therefore greatly encouraged by the fact that the current plans announced by the executive chairman coincide with the recommendations made by the report, “he intimated.
Other suggestions contained in the report included the need to abide by guidelines of the programme document and alignment of disbursement with new enrolment figures, capacity building for implementing structures and decentralised democratic decision making.
“We will focus our next monitoring on the effectiveness of complementary services and the service providers and also step up policy education and local capacity building to ensure that all stakeholders are sufficiently empowered to engage in the programme, “Mr. Akologo indicated.